Liverpool fans plan to hold a minute's applause to pay tribute to Ronaldo

Liverpool fans are planning to hold a minute's applause for Cristiano Ronaldo after the Manchester United star and his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, tragically lost their newborn son.

The couple announced that their baby boy had passed away soon after Rodriguez gave birth to twins, as their daughter thankfully survived.

Fans, team-mates and many others have taken to social media to send their condolences to the Portuguese international and now even rivals Liverpool are keen to offer a gesture of their own as United travel to Anfield this evening.

It has been confirmed by United that forward Ronaldo will not feature in the Premier League clash following his heartbreaking news.

Nevertheless, Reds fans have rallied together as they plan to hold a minute's applause in the seventh minute of the match.

A post from a Liverpool fan Facebook page read: 'If you are lucky enough to be attending the game tomorrow evening, then please show a mark of respect to Cristiano Ronaldo and his family by taking part in the round of applause which will be held on the seventh minute.

'Rivalries should be set aside in heartbreaking circumstances such as these. You'll Never Walk Alone, CR7 Jr.'

Fans flocked to social media to show their support in the fans' decision to pay tribute to Ronaldo.

One said: 'Great gesture! Show the man some love whilst he is going through a horrid time. Can't imagine the pain he must be going through. We're humans first, football fans second.

A second agreed, by saying: 'This is a really nice gesture and this is what football is about! Rivalries aside, let's show our class by doing this.

A third added: 'Yep, regardless of our loyalty to our club and personal feelings to CR, no one deserves that pain. Hope this gets spread far n wide b4 match tonight and it happens, small gesture in the bigger picture but nonetheless a good thing to do.'

Another simply added: 'If you are attending like myself please applause on the 7th minute to show respect to Cristiano Ronaldo and his family through this heartbreaking time.

One supporter questioned whether they should sing 'You'll Never Walk Alone' in the seventh minute for Ronaldo, by posting: 'That would be great. Would a ynwa at 7 mins be wrong?'

A Red Devils responded, by saying: 'Fair play to Liverpool fans for this. At the end of the day what's happened to Ronaldo is absolutely tragic and transcends football.

'The loss of a child is a catastrophic thing and I can only imagine even harder when you're the most known athlete on the planet.

'Again much respect for the Liverpool fans doing this as the rivalry is huge and can lead to some nasty moments, but this is a really amazing gesture.'

The United star, 37, announced in October 2021 that he was expecting twins with his partner Georgina Rodriguez, 28.

A statement from the couple confirmed the death of their baby boy as 'the greatest pain', but said their baby girl survived.

'It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away. It is the greatest pain that any parents can feel,' the announcement read.

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

'We would like to thank the doctors and nurses for all their expert care and support.

'We are all devastated at this loss and we kindly ask for privacy at this very difficult time.

'Our baby boy, you are our angel. We will always love you.'