Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool went top of the Premier League thanks to a resounding 4-0 victory over an abject Manchester United at Anfield on Tuesday. 

Luis Diaz and Salah were on target inside 22 minutes to put Jurgen Klopp's side on course to leapfrog defending champions Manchester City, who will hope to return to the summit when they face Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday. 

United failed to produce a single shot in the first half of a Premier League game for the first time in four years. On that occasion they came from 2-0 down to beat City 3-2, but there were scant signs of such a stirring fightback this time. 

Sadio Mane made sure of that by adding a fine finish to his exemplary assist for Salah, who sealed Liverpool's first Premier League double over United since the 2013-14 season.

The Reds wasted little time in taking the lead, with Salah exposing United's lacklustre defence and squaring for Diaz to tap home after five minutes. 

The fans joined together in a touching show of support for Cristiano Ronaldo in the seventh minute, with the United forward absent following the death of his baby son. 

Paul Pogba was forced off with an injury and Liverpool doubled their lead when Salah added a fine finish to a slick move involving Diaz, Joel Matip and Mane. 

United showed more gumption after a change of shape for the second half from interim boss Ralf Rangnick, with half-time introduction Jadon Sancho finally working Alisson with an effort.

Alisson did well to deny Marcus Rashford and Anthony Elanga in quick succession after the hour mark, but Liverpool extended their advantage in the 68th minute when Mane swept a delivery from Diaz beyond David de Gea and into the bottom-right corner.

Salah then looped the ball over De Gea with five minutes remaining as United were emphatically consigned to a third straight Premier League away defeat for only the fourth time in the history of the competition.

What does it mean? Liverpool back on top 

Man City looked destined to cruise to the title when they held a 14-point lead over Liverpool as recently as January 15, even though the Reds had two games in hand. 

But Liverpool have now won 11 of their 12 games since – their only dropped points being last week's draw with Pep Guardiola's side – to put themselves firmly in contention for an unprecedented quadruple. 

Thiago keeps it ticking

Thiago Alcantara again absolutely bossed the midfield for Liverpool. He completed 105 of his 110 passes – both game highs – and lost possession just six times, which was the fewest of any Reds player. His seven duels won were also more than any other player on the pitch. 

Salah back on song 

A run of six appearances in all competitions without a goal came to an end for Salah. These were his first Liverpool goals since March 12 and a full two months since he last converted in open play in the top flight.

What's next? 

Liverpool take on Everton in the Merseyside derby on Sunday, while United are in action at Arsenal on Saturday. 

Manchester United endured one of their worst attacking displays in recent Premier League history against Liverpool on Tuesday. 

The Red Devils failed to register a single shot on target in the opening 45 minutes at Anfield. It was the first time in the top flight they had reached half-time without having an attempt on goal since a meeting with Manchester City in April 2018. 

United had just 24.5% of the possession during the first half and only managed two touches in the opposition box – 23 fewer than Liverpool, who led 2-0 at the interval thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah. 

Ralf Rangnick's side completed 92 passes – more than 300 fewer than Liverpool – and only seven of them came in Liverpool's final third. 

United have now conceded more Premier League goals against Liverpool (74) than they have versus any other opponent in the competition. 

Paul Pogba hobbled off injured in the first half of Manchester United's Premier League meeting with Liverpool on Tuesday. 

World Cup-winning midfielder Pogba was replaced by Jesse Lingard in the 10th minute with United trailing 1-0 at Anfield. 

The France international could be seen limping when he attempted to track back as Luis Diaz opened the scoring inside five minutes.

Pogba had retained his place in the starting line-up despite being jeered by fans in the 3-2 win over Norwich City at Old Trafford at the weekend. 

He could now be a doubt for crucial fixtures against Arsenal and Chelsea in the next nine days. 

The whole of Manchester United is behind Cristiano Ronaldo following the death of his baby son, says interim boss Ralf Rangnick. 

Ronaldo confirmed in a social media post on Monday that his baby son had passed away. 

He and his partner Georgina Rodriguez had been expecting twins. Their newborn daughter survived. 

Ronaldo was absent from United's Premier League meeting with Liverpool on Tuesday and Rangnick sent a message of support to the Portugal captain's family. 

"This is the worst thing that can happen. I'm the father of two sons myself, so I'm fully aware what that means," Rangnick told Sky Sports. 

"We're all behind him. We're all with him. We wish that him and his family are strong together." 

He added to the club's official media team: "It shows there are more important things in life than football. The whole club is with him. For me, it was clear that he was to be where he is now – with his family." 

United and Liverpool fans came together and applauded when the clock showed seven minutes in a show of support for Ronaldo.

Phil Jones was restored to Manchester United's starting line-up and Paul Pogba retained his place for the Premier League meeting with Liverpool on Tuesday. 

Centre-back Jones was handed just a second start of the season – his only other one being in the 1-0 home loss to Wolves on January 3 – as Ralf Rangnick switched to a three-man defence for the clash at Anfield. 

Pogba was again named in midfield despite being jeered during the 3-2 win over Norwich City on Saturday, while Nemanja Matic replaced Jesse Lingard. 

Aaron Wan-Bissaka returned in place of Alex Telles and Marcus Rashford was given the nod with Cristiano Ronaldo unavailable following the death of his baby son. 

There were two changes for Liverpool after their FA Cup semi-final success against Manchester City. 

Joel Matip was brought in for Ibrahima Konate to partner Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence and Jordan Henderson was restored at the expense of Naby Keita. 

Roberto Firmino missed out on a place in the matchday squad due to a minor foot injury. 

Manchester United have confirmed a fan-led minutes' applause will be held during Tuesday's Premier League match with Liverpool after Cristiano Ronaldo announced the loss of his son.

The United striker and his partner Georgina Rodriguez were expecting twins, but Ronaldo confirmed in a social media post on Monday that his baby boy had passed away.

In the same post, he said the child's sister had survived.

While a club statement had already revealed the 37-year-old would not feature at Anfield, it has now been announced that fans of the two rival clubs will unite in a show of support for Ronaldo and his family seven minutes into the match, a nod to the forward's iconic number.

Both teams will also wear black armbands throughout the fixture, with Liverpool players joining Ronaldo's United team-mates in paying tribute.

"Fans of Manchester United and Liverpool will unite in support of Cristiano Ronaldo and his family at tonight's match between the two teams at Anfield," read a statement from the Red Devils on Tuesday.

"A fan-led minute's applause will be held in the seventh minute of the game in a tribute to the Portuguese striker and his partner Georgina, after they announced the loss of their newborn baby boy on Monday.

"Messages of support from across the football world are continually flooding in on social media and everybody's thoughts are with the Ronaldo family right now. 

"While United and Liverpool share English football's greatest rivalry, there is a deep-rooted respect held between the two clubs and that will be highlighted by the minute's applause, which was initially suggested by fans of the Merseyside team. 

"Ralf Rangnick's United squad led a request to wear black armbands at Anfield and that has been reciprocated by Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool side."

Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo will be absent for the Premier League trip to Liverpool following the death of his son.

Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez confirmed the loss of their son on Monday.

The pair were expecting twins, but United forward Ronaldo announced in a social media post that his baby boy had passed away, while the child's sister had survived.

"It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away," he wrote.

"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.

"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."

Ralf Rangnick's side head to Anfield on Tuesday to face Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, and Ronaldo will not be present after the heart-breaking announcement.

"Family is more important than everything and Ronaldo is supporting his loved ones at this immensely difficult time," a United club statement read.

"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.

"Cristiano, we are all thinking of you and sending strength to the family."

Manchester United must improve their squad in all areas except the goalkeeper if they are to compete, according to Ralf Rangnick.

Rangnick was placed in interim charge at Old Trafford following the dismissal of club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in late November, though United's fortunes are yet to significantly change for the better.

The Red Devils sit three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and level with Arsenal, who have played a game fewer, in the race for Champions League football next season.

Qualifying for Europe remains the only way for United to salvage their campaign, after elimination from all the cup competitions and failure to challenge Manchester City and Liverpool in the Premier League.

The likes of Paul Pogba, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire have all been regularly scrutinised with regard to the problems at United, and Rangnick believes wholesale investment is needed in the squad.

The German boss also suggested the next permanent managerial appointment, with Ajax coach Erik ten Hag widely expected to take charge, will be key for United in the transfer market.

"The players have to give their very best no matter who the next manager will be, and if he's announced in one or two or three weeks, I don't think that this affects the current situation we're in," he told Sky Sports.

"But yes, of course, it's important to know who will be the new manager, because to start the recruitment process, to find the best possible players only makes sense if you know who will be the manager and how does he want to play.

"There might be a couple of players – and I have already named those players to the board – that independent of formation, from style of football, and independent of a new manager, that could be of interest for a club like United.

"But in general, if you look at the size of the way the team needs to be rebuilt, I mean, it's not enough to bring in three or four new players. It will be more, bearing in mind how many players will no longer be here with the contracts running out."

David de Gea has been a rare bright spark for a below-par United side this season, and Rangnick believes the goalkeeper is the only position that does not warrant significant improvement.

"Yes, I think apart from the goalkeeping, we need to make sure that we improve the squad in all areas," he added. 

"To bring in players who really help the team to get better – again, it's about the profile. What kind of players do we need in order to play whichever kind of football we want to play?"

The former RB Leipzig head coach suggests United can learn from Liverpool, who they face on Tuesday at Anfield, regarding their investment and scouting.

"With Liverpool, it's clear why they are playing as aggressive as they do – it's since Jurgen [Klopp] arrived," he continued. 

"If you compare the squad that he inherited six years ago and compare it with the present, I think there are maybe four or five players still there.

"All the others signed since then have been signed exactly under those premises: how do we want to play? They have to be able and willing to run and sprint a lot. They have to be physical. They have to be technical. They have to be clinical. The profile for each position has been clear and that's why they are where they are.

"And here at Manchester United, this hasn't been the case with every change of manager. New players came in, but it was not under that pre-condition of how do we want to play, and this is for sure something that needs to be changed in the future, but this doesn't help us.

"Now we have to play with the players that we have available and get the best out of them. It will be difficult for us at Anfield. We know that we have to raise our level to the highest possible that we can.

"Our ambition is to win that game, and this is how we are going into it."

Manchester United must move away from having one manager run the club and instead appoint the "best possible head coach" with a skilled team around him.

That is according to Ralf Rangnick, who will take up a consultancy role at Old Trafford after his interim manager role at United concludes at the end of the season.

Ajax coach Erik ten Hag is widely expected as the next permanent appointment, but Rangnick believes wholesale change is needed behind the scenes to set up the club for future success.

The German oversaw transformative innovation during his time at Hoffenheim and the two Red-Bull owned clubs: RB Leipzig and Salzburg. However, he remains uneasy with the managerial approach in England.

There is a preference to have a managerial figure lead clubs, like Alex Ferguson at United, but Rangnick insists success comes from the teams around these bosses, such as the set-up behind Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool.

"In Germany we have a head coach and then there is usually a minimum of two skilled people continuously in the club on a longer-term basis responsible for recruitment, scouting and any daily operation," Rangnick told Sky Sports News.

"They also bring in the right and best possible head coach for the team. This still hasn't got a big tradition here and so the job of a sporting director or director of football, only a few clubs have that.

"I know that for the future, and I think even more so for a big club like Manchester United, you can't put all those jobs and tasks and the whole responsibility only on the shoulder of one person – on the manager. I'm not sure if this can be dealt with by one person, no matter how good he is.

"I know Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea also have smart people who take care of recruitment, scouting, the medical department. 

"I think this is also an issue for our club, where they have to pay attention to."

Former Leipzig coach Rangnick will move into the background when Ten Hag, or any other manager, is appointed at United for next season.

Asked if he had offered the club any guidance, he said: "I've done that already after the first couple of weeks and regularly since then.

"I told the board members about what I have experienced so far and what I think are the important things we have to pay attention to and where we have to make sure that we maybe get better at.

"But right now my full focus is on the remaining six games that we have to play and that we hopefully play as successful as we can be. All the rest has to wait until the end of the season."

Jurgen Klopp urged Liverpool to fight for the "most important three points in your life" against Manchester United as the Reds aim to reach the Premier League summit.

Liverpool would, at least briefly, leapfrog Premier League leaders Manchester City with a draw at Anfield on Tuesday; Pep Guardiola's side are in action the next day against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Victory over United would move Klopp's side two points clear of reigning champions City, who suffered a 3-2 FA Cup semi-final defeat to Liverpool on Saturday to end their treble hopes.

United, meanwhile, have struggled once again this season and limped to a 3-2 victory over Norwich City last game, thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo hat-trick.

While uncertainty surrounds Old Trafford, with Ajax coach Erik ten Hag widely expected to be named the next permanent United manager, Klopp warned his side of the dangers Ralf Rangnick's visitors will pose.

"We have to be angry in a good way, greedy, all these kind of things, like you are if you have won nothing and would be with nil points and it's the most important three points in your life," said Klopp.

"That's the attitude we need for this game. If we let United do [what they want] they will cause us massive problems.

"We have to be in the right mood, the people have to be in the right mood to really be ready to fight for the three points and not want to show we are in a better moment than United. Who is interested about that?

"There are times when you have better moments than other teams then you get a knock and that's it with the better moment. Who cares?

"They want the three points we need. That's that attitude we have to show."

A 5-0 hammering by Liverpool at Old Trafford in the reverse fixture in October contributed to United legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer being dismissed the following month, with Rangnick placed in interim charge.

Rangnick has been unable to significantly alter the fortunes of United, but thanks to slip-ups by Tottenham and Arsenal, the Red Devils sit just three points behind the Champions League qualification spots.

Klopp sympathises with his fellow German as he suggested there are no short-term solutions for major clubs.

"We had a similar situation when I started here," Klopp said. "We were not flying from the first day, let me say it like this, and you might have thought after six or seven weeks: 'Is it really much better than before?' 

"When you are in that situation, you just accept that you need all the steps. You cannot just put on a magic sprinkle and go from there.

"It is completely normal that expectations are always short-term, never long-term. You want the advantage now and forever, and not from five months on and forever. That is the problem we all have.

"That might be the situation there. But we don't face the team that has problems, we face Manchester United. The goalkeeper is world class, the last line absolute top, then [in midfield] I'm not sure if [Scott] McTominay and Fred can play and it might be [Paul] Pogba and [Nemanja] Matic.

"Then up front you can choose from [Jadon] Sancho, [Bruno] Fernandes, [Anthony] Elanga or [Marcus] Rashford. That's what we have to prepare for, not what happened last week."

Harry Maguire insists revenge for a 5-0 hammering by Liverpool will be Manchester United's motivation, not the damage they can do to the quadruple hopes of Jurgen Klopp's side.

Mohamed Salah scored a hat-trick as a rampant Liverpool breezed past United at Old Trafford in October, contributing to the sacking of club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the following month.

Liverpool have since lifted the EFL Cup, reached the FA Cup final by defeating Premier League leaders Manchester City, who they trail by one point in the league, and are in the Champions League last four against Villarreal.

Klopp's team have repeatedly quashed talks of the quadruple but could take another giant step towards an unprecedented achievement if they defeat Ralf Rangnick's side at Anfield on Tuesday.

That would leave them two points clear of Pep Guardiola's City, but United captain Maguire believes hampering Liverpool's quadruple hopes is not the main focus for the visitors.

"I don't think that's part of our motivation, to be honest," he said to Sky Sports.

"I think the motivation is going to Anfield, playing against Liverpool and winning a football match and getting three points for this club and the fans.

"The fans have stuck with us throughout this season, they turn up in their numbers wherever they go, they've been amazing in such a difficult season.

"For us to go to Anfield, perform well and get the three points, it would be a huge moment for us to give to the fans. So I think that's the big motivation for us."

Liverpool laid down a marker with their 5-0 thrashing at United, but performances since have further displayed the opposite trajectories of the two clubs, with 19 points separating them in the Premier League.

United could still qualify for the Champions League, though, sitting just three points behind fourth-placed Tottenham and level with fellow top-four chasers Arsenal, who have played a game fewer.

And Maguire wants his team to set the record straight when they head to their fierce rivals in a bid to boost their European hopes.

"That was such a low point, the lowest point of the season, one of the lowest points of my career, and I'm sure the rest of the lads', without international football involved in that," he said of the 5-0 defeat.

"You don't need motivation to play in these games. It's such a big rivalry, when you join this club you know the rivalry, it's one of the biggest in the world.

"It's a game we've got to look forward to. We know we're going to have to play at our best to get something, and that's what we've got to prepare for."

Ralf Rangnick does not believe it will take "three or four years" for Manchester United to be back competing for the Premier League title, claiming the task ahead of the club "is not rocket science".

United head into Tuesday's game against Liverpool 19 points behind their rivals, who can move top of the table with a draw at Anfield.

The Red Devils have now not won the league in nine years since Alex Ferguson retired and have scarcely looked capable of troubling the genuine contenders.

This has been another difficult season and their future is far from certain, with United set to appoint a new manager – widely expected to be Erik ten Hag – in place of interim boss Rangnick at the end of the campaign.

But for all the pessimism around United's situation, Rangnick suggests it will not take a huge amount of work for the 20-time English champions to return to the top of the sport.

He cited Liverpool's turnaround under Jurgen Klopp as evidence of that.

"I don't think a club like Manchester United can afford to take three or four years in order to achieve that [competing for the title]," he said. "And I don't think that it is necessary.

"We spoke about Liverpool earlier on, how long it took for them.

"[It could happen] after two or three windows, if you know what you are looking for. If you don't know what, you'll always be looking for the needle in a haystack, but if you know what kind of football you want to play, what kind of profiles for each individual position, then it is about finding them. Not only finding them but convincing them to come.

"Liverpool at the time they finished eighth [in 2015-16]. The year after they didn't play [European] football at all, so the full focus in the second season of Jurgen was on the Premier League and the national cup competitions.

"Then it took, I don't know, two transfer windows. But even in the other transfer windows that came later on, they just made a lot of very, very good transfers and signings. This is what it's all about.

"It is not that complicated, it's not rocket science, but in order to have the best possible wind, you need to know where your destination haven is. If you don’t know that, it's always difficult."

Klopp ended Liverpool's 30-year wait for a title in 2019-20, but Rangnick believes the fix for United is too straightforward for them to endure a similar drought.

"[Thirty years] without a title? I suppose that this will not happen because it's pretty obvious what needs to be changed and that there needs to be a rebuild for the future," he said, "So I don't think that this will happen."

A lot of talk in recent weeks has centred around the burgeoning "rivalry" between Manchester City and Liverpool, with English football's two current leading lights doing battle on multiple fronts.

Liverpool got the better of City in the weekend's FA Cup semi-final, but they remain in a tussle for the Premier League title and could yet meet in a Champions League showdown – there's much to play for.

But while that rivalry has been borne out of competitiveness, the Liverpool matches that most – fans and neutrals alike – will continue to look out for are those with Manchester United.

Despite their historic successes and status as English football's most-successful teams, rarely in the modern era have they been competitive rivals like Liverpool are with City now – in fact, only once in the Premier League have the Reds and United finished as the top two. Invariably, if things are going well for one, the opposite is true for the other.

Ahead of Tuesday's clash at Anfield, the gulf is 19 points in the Premier League. Since Alex Ferguson's retirement, only once has there been a larger gap between the two ahead of their second meeting of the season.

After their 5-0 rout at Old Trafford in October, Liverpool are looking to complete the league double over United for the first time since 2013-14, while the Red Devils are winless in their last five league games at Anfield, netting just one goal in these matches. They last had a longer run without an away league win against their north west rivals between September 1970 and December 1979.

What makes the situation even worse for Ralf Rangnick's side is that it's difficult to escape from the idea that Liverpool are the club – in terms of how they're run and the success they're enjoying – that most United fans wish they were.

The template

Change is coming at Old Trafford. Whether it is for the better remains to be seen, but it would appear Erik ten Hag is set to be confirmed as United's next permanent manager in the coming weeks.

As highly rated as the Dutchman is, there is not masses of evidence to suggest anything will be better with him in charge. After all, under each of the four managers appointed in full-term roles since Ferguson, there are arguments to be made that they were not the biggest issue – rather, the club's hierarchy and decision-makers were.

Regardless of whether you agree with the decision or rate him as a coach, Rangnick's arrival as interim manager in November at least suggested United were attempting a cultural reset. Here was a "football man" with a track record of establishing certain processes and tactical setups at clubs coming in to potentially lay the groundwork for a rebuild.

But a lot of Rangnick's public advice to United has looked eerily like him pointing blatantly at Liverpool and saying: "Them, look at them. That's how you run a football club."

Klopp's arrival in 2015 was undoubtedly momentous. Liverpool had already shown promising signs in terms of their forward-thinking approach when initially hiring his predecessor Brendan Rodgers, as all the names reported to be on their shortlist when the current Leicester City boss got the job were coaches who had similar tactical outlooks, were young and spoke of the importance of "philosophies" or "projects".

A two-time Bundesliga-winning Klopp was, of course, a coach of an altogether different calibre. Their choice at the time was apparently between him and Carlo Ancelotti, but the fact they went for the German was by no means surprising. For one, the brand of football he was going to implement was hardly going to be a polar opposite of that employed by Rodgers, while he always appeared a far greater fit culturally than the Italian.

Klopp's arrival was seen as a coup. Let's not forget, in October 2015 Liverpool weren't exactly considered among the "elite". Historically, sure, but not competitively at that moment.

They went on to finish eighth in the Premier League, averaging 1.6 points per game – over Klopp's entire Premier League career, he's collected 2.1 per game, highlighting just how much of an improvement he's presided over.

While difficult to pinpoint one key factor, Rangnick was unequivocal in his surmising of his compatriot's situation on Monday, saying: "The same happened at other clubs. When he came to Borussia Dortmund or when he started his coaching career at Mainz, he developed all of those clubs, he raised the whole team and club to a different kind of level. This is what modern management is all about. He's one of the best, if not the best coach, not only now but in the past couple of years.

"If this should be a role model, I don't know. It's definitely no coincidence what's happened there in the last six years. In his first year, when he came during the season after eight or nine games and they finished eighth, and thereafter they just made the necessary adaptations. They brought in the right players, they got rid of the right players, they just built, they really built a squad and that's why they are where they are."

Patience is a virtue

Klopp's success at Liverpool isn't something that United can copy and paste. Even if the Reds' club setup is married to the coach's managerial style, the man in charge still needs to be very, very good at his job.

Ten Hag has done well at Ajax. He's taken them to a Champions League semi-final, played attractive football and looks likely to win a second Eredivisie title – but they have a club-wide 'philosophy' that the head coach must work within, rather than establish himself. United do not, as highlighted by the hotch-potch of tactical styles embraced with David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and even Rangnick.

As such, the current squad has been assembled by Ferguson and his four successors, which hardly screams cohesion. Granted, one coach building a squad in its entirety is rare given how quickly clubs are to chop and change these days, but of Liverpool's first-choice XI, only Jordan Henderson was not brought to the club – or nurtured through the academy – during Klopp's reign.

United's appointment of John Murtough as football director and Darren Fletcher as technical director at least hinted at the club being brought out of the dark ages in terms of its structure, while many in the fanbase will have seen Ed Woodward's departure at the end of 2021 as a positive step.

The jury is still out on this new-look setup, though there is seemingly now something more closely resembling Liverpool's so-called "transfer committee". Indeed, that term is a bit of a blast from the past – it was once something you would regularly hear mentioned and sneered at during Rodgers' reign and early on in Klopp's spell, but Liverpool's undoubted success in terms of recruitment over the past six years speaks for itself.

Ten Hag will represent a gamble for United, but – assuming he does take the job – he will also be arguably the first up-and-coming manager to be appointed by the club since Ferguson. The Dutchman's is only two years Klopp's junior but is definitely on the rise reputationally.

No one knows if he'll be a success and, to be fair, he will need to justify patience to a degree. But time, trust and joint-up thinking have clearly been vital to Liverpool with Klopp – if United do truly value Rangnick's input, they would do well to heed his advice here.

One of world football's hottest commodities, Erling Haaland, is reportedly set to join Manchester City in the next transfer window after agreeing to personal terms.

It has long been understood that Haaland would likely not return to Borussia Dortmund for another season, with the Bundesliga club entertaining offers from the world's biggest clubs.

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain were considered Manchester City's biggest competition for the Norway forward's signature, but a massive contract, recent success and close personal ties to his father seem to have been the deciding factors.

TOP STORY – HAALAND CHOOSES MANCHESTER CITY

The Daily Mail is reporting Haaland has agreed to a deal with Manchester City that will make him the highest-paid player in the Premier League at £500,000 per week.

With terms agreed, City are expected to trigger Haaland's £62.2million (€75m) release clause and sign him to a five-year deal, which could be announced in the next week.

His father, Alf-Inge Haaland, played at Manchester City from 2000-2003 and is said to have been "heavily involved in the negotiations".

ROUND-UP

– According to Goal, Real Madrid did not want to unsettle their dressing room by signing Haaland and making him the highest-paid player.

– Fichajes is reporting Real Madrid's attention will turn to Manchester United's Edinson Cavani now Haaland is out of the picture, while The Mirror claims Madrid have strong interest in Chelsea right-back Reece James.

– Liverpool target Serge Gnabry is discussing a contract extension with Bayern Munich, according to Goal.

– West Ham are hoping to add Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope, with the England international likely to leave the club if they are relegated, per the Daily Mail.

– Arsenal are in the box seat to land Marco Asensio from Real Madrid after Milan rejected his wage demands, reports CalcioMercato.

Cristiano Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez have confirmed the death of their son.

Ronaldo and Rodriguez were expecting twins.

However, Ronaldo confirmed in a social media post on Monday that his baby boy had passed away. 

In the same post, Manchester United forward Ronaldo said the child's sister had survived.

"It is with our deepest sadness we have to announce that our baby boy has passed away," Ronaldo wrote.

"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.

"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."