Tributes have been paid to a tragic young dad who was stabbed to death on Sunday.
Police named the dead man as Bala Lloyd Evans. He was stabbed to death on Back Colquitt Street at 3am after a disturbance in the city centre.
A post mortem carried out on the 33-year-old, from Toxteth, who was also known as Bala O'Rourke, showed that he died from a single stab wound to the heart.
After hearing about Bala's death, hundreds of friends and loved ones took to social media to pay tribute to the popular former footballer.
On Facebook, Carys Lamb said: "So so sad. Lovely friendly neighbour whose smile will be missed. Love and thoughts go out to his family x"
Kayleigh Preston also said: "Such a lovely lad. Thoughts go out to all his family & friends RIP Bala xx"
Jason Lunt added: "Such a great guy inside and out. Another life taken to soon.
"Rest in paradise Bala, you were one of the great ones.
"Sending all my thoughts to the O'Rourke family rest easy my bro."
A number of people also remembered Bala from his younger years and commented on how well brought up he was.
Fran De Asha Meah said: "This young man was raised a gentleman with a beautiful soul, (which makes this so so heartbreaking).
"My deepest condolences to all his family and them two babies."
Mel Kenny also said in a comment on Facebook: "Absolutely devastating his poor family he was a lovely lad in his teen years.
"Always had respect for everyone around him so O can imagine the type of man he grew to be.
"Thinking of his babies, his partner and all his family at this devastating time xxxx"
Toni Levene added: "God bless you Bala. What a lovely mannered and lovely lad you were.
"Thoughts are with all of families total gent."
Among those to offer condolences to his family was former Liverpool star Howard Gayle .
He wrote on Facebook: "Woke up in Vegas this morning to what should have been a momentous occasion after last CL win.
"But the sad, sad news of Bala O’Rourke apparently stabbed to death .
"Bala was a product of Stanley House Football team in 1996 he joined LFC in 97 and for this to happen to him on a day where his team regained the CL for the 6th time is crushing.
"Our community will be on the floor again right now with the loss of a true gentleman, he will be missed."
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "A man who died after being stabbed in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of yesterday, Sunday 2nd June, has been named as Bala Lloyd-Evans.
"The 33 year-old, who was from the Toxteth area, was found by officers who were called to a disturbance on Back Colquitt Street at 3am.
"A post mortem has revealed that the cause of death was a single stab wound to the heart.
"Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers."
A 19 year-old man and a 24 year-old man, both from the Toxteth area, were arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in custody where they are being questioned by detectives.
