Liverpool and Manchester United fans unite in seventh minute in support of Cristiano Ronaldo

Liverpool and Manchester United supporters briefly put their bitter rivalry aside to unite for a heartbreaking tribute in support of Cristiano Ronaldo during their Premier League match at Anfield on Tuesday night.

United striker Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez announced earlier in the day that their newborn son, a twin, had died.

Ronaldo and Rodriguez wrote in a statement yesterday: «It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel.»

«Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness.»

The 37-year-old was absent from the match, with Manchester United writing in a statement: «Family is more important than everything and Ronaldo is supporting his loved ones at this immensely difficult time.»

In the seventh minute of the match, supporters from both teams stood and applauded, with Liverpool fans singing the club's anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone.

Ronaldo's shirt number at Manchester United and throughout his career is seven and is closely associated with the Portuguese star through his CR7 brand. 

Manchester United's official Twitter account described the scene as «a moving tribute to  [Ronaldo] and his loved ones».

On the pitch Liverpool hammered their north-west rivals with another dominant display that moved them to the top of the Premier League table.

Luis Díaz had already opened the scoring for Liverpool before the tribute, netting in the fifth minute of the match after being set up by Mohamed Salah, who added Liverpool's second midway through the first half.

The football superstar announces one of his newborn twins has died in a social media post signed by his partner.

Trailing by two goals at the break, Manchester United looked a mile off the pace against their