Liverpool hero Phil Thompson is worried about Cristiano Ronaldo's form ahead of facing Manchester United today.

The Portuguese forward has scored six goals in eight appearances since he returned to Manchester United in the summer, and scored the winner in their Champions League clash against Atalanta in midweek.

Thompson said on LFC TV: “He knows all about them, he knows how big these [games] are.

“Yes, dare I say it, he worries me because this fellow turns up in big games. We have seen that for Real Madrid and Juventus.

“He has done it in different countries and he did for his own country.

“This guy is a freak of nature and I mean it so kindly. He is 36 years of age and you see him being a match-winner for them the other night with an unbelievable header.

“I have nothing but praise for this guy.

“Everybody is pinpointing his running stats, it's probably the lowest of any striker in the Premier League, but it is what he produces in that box.

“If he scores goals and his running stats are down there and he keeps scoring goals in that box, everybody will forgive him.

“He will know, and he is one of those characters who will be saying we need to perform against Liverpool."