Cristiano Ronaldo's family thank Liverpool fans for their support of Manchester United star

The family of Cristiano Ronaldo have thanked Liverpool fans for their show of support for the Manchester United star and his partner following the tragic death of their baby son.

Ronaldo missed the match at Anfield on Tuesday night on compassionate grounds after he and his girlfriend, Georgina Rodriguez, announced on Monday evening that their new-born baby son had died. United and Liverpool supporters showed their respect for the Portuguese forward in the seventh minute of the match as they joined together in an impeccably-respected minute's applause.

Liverpool supporters also belted out a rendition of their club anthem "You'll Never Walk Alone" as a sign of support and unity following the awful tragedy.

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp says Cristiano Ronaldo applause was "moment of match" vs Manchester United

Taking to social media after the match, Ronaldo's sister, Elma, posted footage of the moving moment, adding the message: "Thank you for this Liverpool. We will never forget what you did today.'

Sibling Katia also posted her own video on social media along with the caption: "Way beyond football." Ronaldo's mother Dolores Aveiro took to Instagram to post her own message in which she asked God for help at such a difficult time.

Dolores, quoting a well-known verse from the Bible, wrote on her Instagram in Portuguese: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your way acknowledge Him And he shall direct your Paths."

Speaking after the match, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described the applause as the 'moment of the game' in which his side won 4-0.

"My moment of the game was the seventh minute when the whole stadium showed pure class," Klopp said at his post-match press