A proper Scouser

'JOTA WAS EVERYTHING WE WANTED IN A LIVERPOOL PLAYER'...REDS FANS PAY TRIBUTE TO PORTUGUESE STRIKER AFTER CRASH TRAGEDY

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The news broke in the UK at around 9.30am yesterday.

When the ECHO arrived at Anfield just after 10am, some people were still unaware of the news. Andrew Oakley, 54, isn’t a Liverpool fan but had taken his Reds-supporting son, Jacob, to see the stadium.

They were stunned when we told them the news.

Andrew said: “Really? I had no idea. It’s devastating. I imagine there will be a lot of people around the ground today.” His son, Jacob, 11, added: “It's shocking.”

As the news began to filter through, tearful Liverpool fans started to gather by the statue of legendary manager Bill Shankly to lay down scarfs and flowers. Many moved towards 97 Avenue opposite the Main Stand, where a makeshift shrine was set up.

Ian Clark, 52, from Huyton, was taking some friends of his from Mauritius around the famous stadium when he heard the news.

He said: “I must admit, I had to check it eight or nine times. For your life to be taken away in your prime, it's a shame.

“It's a shame for his club, shame for the fans but most of all it’s a shame for his family.