Liverpool fans put rivalry with Manchester United aside to show support for Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday, a day after the Portuguese star revealed his newborn baby son had died.
Supporters from both sides stood to applaud during the seventh minute of a clash between English football’s two most successful clubs at Anfield, a reference to Ronaldo’s shirt number.
Liverpool fans also sang their famous anthem “You’ll never walk alone”.
In the seventh minute of their Premier League clash – when the hosts were leading thanks to Luis Diaz’s goal – Reds fans stayed true to their word by joining together with their Red Devils counterparts to hold applause during the seventh minute – the same number Ronaldo wears at Man United.
Some United fans also held up Ronaldo’s shirt during the impeccably observed minute’s silence, with Reds supporters chanting ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ during the 60 seconds.
Liverpool’s German boss Jurgen Klopp was also seen applauding, while players from both teams wore black armbands as a mark of respect.
Ronaldo missed the match to be with his family.
“Family is more important than everything and Ronaldo is supporting his loved ones at this immensely difficult time,” United said in a statement earlier in the day.
“As such, we can confirm that he will not feature in the match against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday evening and we underline the family’s request for privacy.”
Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez had revealed in a social media post last October that the couple was expecting twins.
They confirmed the birth of a baby daughter at the same time as revealing their son’s death.
The couple, who met during Ronaldo’s time at Real Madrid, has a four-year-old daughter together, while Ronaldo has three other children.
Fans, team-mates and social media users have sent their condolences to the 37-year-old and supporters of rivals Liverpool said they were keen to offer a gesture of their own ahead of tonight’s clash against Man United at Anfield.
