The sense of loss sparked by the murder of Brandon Regan became clear in the immediate aftermath of his killing.
A display of tributes grew for days as devastated friends and relatives created a poignant shrine in the shadow of the police operation.
Hundreds then took part in a tribute bike ride, which was followed six months later by a memorial that saw Brandon's family call for an end to knife crime.
The 17-year-old's death prompted an outpouring of grief as the Speke community attempted to come to terms with the shocking incident.
A vast section of Critchley Road was cordoned off for days as forensics officers examined the front garden in which the teen's body was discovered, as well as the surrounding area.
In what seemed like an act of defiance against the thugs responsible, tributes began to be laid at the bottom of the street's East Dam Wood Road junction - right at the edge of the police cordon.
It rapidly grew from a collection of floral tributes to an extensive shrine that lay under bright blue balloons that spelt "Bran".
Dozens of bouquets were laid beneath those letters, surrounded by further mementos - including several candles, further balloons, a pair of sliders, a jumper with the face of rapper the Notorious B.I.G and a festival bag containing a toothbrush.
Heartfelt messages included: “To Brandon’s family and friends, thinking of you all. Taken too soon" and “Love and miss you Bran. I love you lad, you will always be loved.”
The explosion of tributes dominated the junction for more than a week after the murder on January 28 of last year.
They were still there on February 6 when hundreds took part in a huge memorial bike ride in Brandon's name.
Children on bikes and mourners wearing T-shirts and hoodies emblazoned with pictures of the teenager gathered outside a row of shops on Western Avenue.
The group - some cycling, some walking - journeyed to the shrine and released heart-shaped balloons alongside gold and silver inflated stars.
Six months after his death, with no-one having been charged at that stage, his friends and family came together to remember his life and highlight the growing problem of knife crime.
A huge banner with the message Justice for Bran was hung on the front of his home, with images of the teen displayed alongside candles and cans of the teenager's favourite soft drinks.
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A large group gathered at the house in Speke before setting to visit Brandon's grave at Springwood Cemetery.
Mum Julie said at the time: "We lost Brandon six months ago and wanted to do something to remember him. And we want to get the no more knives message out there too. We want to see knives treated the same way as guns. If you have a knife its the same as having a gun. They both kill."
Brandon's older brothers Brian and Tony wore T-shirts with a photograph of the teen, promoting an anti-knife crime message.
Julie added: "Losing Brandon has been so hard on my sons and I. It's kind of destroyed us and I would hate to see any other family go through what we have experienced.
"So we have come out today to get this message out there, and remember Brandon who we all miss very much."
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Julie told the ECHO Brandon's bedroom had remained untouched over that six months.
She said some nights she slept in his room with the teddy bear from his childhood, and imagined that he was still alive when she woke up.
Brandon was killed by Steven Jones after he stole the 24-year-old's scooter, then fled across Speke on the bike.
A trial heard Jones, with Jack Butterworth, 22, and Lewis Gibbons, 26, chased after Brandon in Butterworth's black Audi A4.
Butterworth ran the scooter off the road before the other two defendants got out, and Jones knifed the teen four times.
Jones, of no fixed address but from Netherley, and Gibbons, of Holland Road, Halewood, were both found guilty of murder.
Butterworth, of Finsbury Park, Widnes, was convicted of manslaughter.
He also admitted charges of assisting an offender and perverting the course of justice.
The sentencing on Wednesday brought more pain to Brandon's grieving friends and relatives, with two of the three men showing little remorse.
Jones was jailed for life for a minimum of 25 years. He grinned at the grieving family and said: "I'll take that all day."
Gibbons, who was jailed for life with a minimum of 21 years, smirked and showed his middle finger to stunned onlookers.
Butterworth, who was jailed for 13 years, showed no emotion.
Judge Conrad described the killing as "a vicious attack against an unarmed youth who had no chance of defending himself".
