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. It's just so sad. All the memories will live on forever.'

His song will be sung with double venom at the start of the season. He gave everything for the club so we'll have to give everything for him and his family.

In the internet age, fans are closer to footballers than ever before. 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.'

Jota played a key role in Liverpool's success under Jurgen Klopp and latterly Arne Slot. His propensity to score crucial goals at key moments earned him a reputation as a player who delivered when it mattered most. That kind of skill earned him respect across football. Among the array of Liverpool memorabilia and red flowers left in tribute to him at Anfield today were shirts and scarves bearing the badges of Everton, Manchester United, Rangers and more.

It was a game at Arsenal in January 2022 that cemented the solid bond between Jota and Liverpool supporters. On a Thursday night in the League Cup semi-finals, the forward was rampant. He scored two in an electric performance, twisting and turning the Gunners defenders inside out and finishing with his trademark precision. Supporters in the away end were in love with him. 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.

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. He'll be sadly, sadly missed by every fan. I'm sure the Kop, and the players when they go on the pitch, will have him in their heart.'

Jota's 65th and final Liverpool goal, a true poacher's winner against Everton in front of the Kop in April, now stands as a beacon - a moment in time fans can look back on and take joy in the fact they were able to share it with him. Footballers often mean more to fans than the players themselves will ever know. But strolling around the Anfield turf on the final day of the season, big shiny silver trophy in hand, and all four stands singing his name, Jota knew he was adored.