Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Image source, EPA

Daniel Austin

BBC Sport journalist at Anfield

At the end of May, 60,000 Liverpool supporters serenaded Diogo Jota at Anfield as he paraded the Premier League trophy in front of the Kop.

With a big, beaming grin, he soaked up the celebrations as they sang about him powering the club "to victory" with his goals.

A little over a month later and fans across the city and beyond have been left stunned and saddened by his death in a road traffic accident in Spain alongside his brother Andre Silva.

As the news spread, fans began to gather outside Anfield, first laying tributes at the club's Hillsborough disaster memorial before moving to congregate facing a single tree on a stretch of grass next to the Main Stand.

Those there, tears drifting down their cheeks, made clear they were paying tribute to a man with whom they felt a deep a connection, as well as an excellent footballer.

"What a great guy," said Dave Williams, an Anfield regular.

"I'm devastated by what's gone on.

"He's so young, just got married, got three kids.

They don't just cheer them on from the stands but see their home life on social media, gain great insight into their personalities, quirks and beliefs, and feel a profound personal rapport with them.

Jota was known to supporters as a laid-back, outgoing and playful character - he would regularly appear laughing and joking in online videos published by Liverpool, and often live streamed himself playing video games.

But the 28-year-old was also focused, tenacious and full of hard graft.

That combination of work ethic and fun-loving affability made him one of the most popular players with a fanbase that loves nothing more than earning success as a collective and then revelling in a party afterwards.

"He's one of the fans' favourites", said Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region.

"The connection was so strong.

"He would chase everything.

The fans loved that.

"He was a great character, a real grounded individual.

They chanted raucously, ceaselessly the song which had begun to gather momentum on a recent European away trip from part way through the first half, into the concourse at half-time, and until the full-time whistle.

They scarcely came up for air because they wanted Jota to know what a tremendous night he had given them.

Now some of those same supporters stand outside Anfield, dazed and distressed, staring at red shirts with 'Diogo' emblazoned on the back as the news of his death begins to settle.

"He was such a nice person," said Brian Curry, a match-going Liverpool fan.

"He's a legend.