Liverpool fans' beautiful act after Cristiano Ronaldo tragedy

Liverpool's 4-0 thrashing of Manchester United at Anfield showcased more than just the gulf in class between the current Premier League leaders and the former top dogs in England.

In a touching gesture for Cristiano Ronaldo it also showed that the fiercest rivalries can be cast aside in a touching display of humanity and solidarity.

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United superstar Ronaldo was absent from the game, following the devastating news that he and partner Georgina Rodriguez had tragically lost one of their new-born twins.

The horrific news was announced by Ronaldo and his partner on social media earlier in the week, prompting an outpouring of support from all around the world.

To show their support for Ronaldo and his family, the Anfield crowd paid a special tribute to the player and his family in the seventh minute of the Premier League showdown - in a nod to his iconic number.

A chant of “Viva Ronaldo” was started by the United fans, followed by a brief rendition from Liverpool supporters of their club anthem — “You’ll Never Walk Alone” — and applause around the stadium.

“That is exactly how football should be - all rivalry aside in this moment,” Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said.

“There is only one thing that is important and it was really a show of class.”

United has not indicated when the grieving Ronaldo will return to playing.

“It's the worst that can happen,” United interim manager Ralf Rangnick said. “We are behind him. We are all with him. We wish him and his family that they are strong together.”

Ronaldo thanked the doctors and nurses for their care in a message on Monday night.

“Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness,” he wrote on social media.

Liverpool top after big win against Man United

Following the match, Rangnick said the Red Devils were "six years" behind Liverpool after being blown away by the Reds for the second time in the league this season.

Jurgen Klopp's men won 5-0 at Old Trafford in October and expectations of a similar rout were well-founded as Liverpool exposed the massive gulf between the sides with Mohamed Salah scoring twice and Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane also on target.

Liverpool move two points ahead of Manchester City at the top of the table, but still need the English champions to slip up in their remaining seven league games of the season to win the title.

Rangnick will step aside at the end of the season, with Ajax manager Erik ten Hag reportedly set to take over.

And the German said the impact Klopp has made on transforming Liverpool's fortunes is the example for United to follow.

"It is embarrassing, it is disappointing, maybe even humiliating," said Rangnick.

"We have to accept they are six years ahead of us now. When Jurgen Klopp came they changed at the club and lifted not just the team but the club and city to a new level.

"That is what needs to happen with us in the next transfer windows."

In contrast to the fine margins separating Liverpool and City, a 22-point gap now lies between the league leaders and United in sixth with only Tottenham and Arsenal's own failings keeping the Red Devils in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.

with agencies

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