Newcastle United and Liverpool will pay tribute to club legend Kevin Keegan before their Premier League match at St James' Park. This comes after Keegan passed away at the age of 75.
BBC Sport reported on Thursday that the clubs are discussing how to honour Keegan's incredible contributions to both teams. They will meet on Sunday, August 23, 2026, for the first game of the new Premier League season.
Newcastle has confirmed it is working with Liverpool, fan groups, and the Premier League to ensure Keegan receives a proper farewell.
"Newcastle United is in communication with Liverpool to ensure Kevin Keegan’s memory is marked fittingly before the game," the club said in a statement.
The club mentioned it will collaborate with its Fan Advisory Board, the Newcastle United Supporters Trust, and Wor Flags to plan the tributes.
Keegan had legendary stints at both clubs. He played for Liverpool for six successful years, winning three league titles, the European Cup, two UEFA Cups, and the FA Cup. Later, he moved to Newcastle, where he eventually became the manager.
At Newcastle, Keegan guided the club to Premier League promotion in the 1992-93 season and led them to a second-place finish in the 1995-96 campaign.
The Magpies have already planned several tributes. Their men’s, women’s, and under-21 teams will wear black armbands during pre-season matches.
A minute’s silence will also be observed before Newcastle’s friendly against Gateshead. Keegan’s image will be shown on screens at St James' Park during matches against Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg. The tribute will happen in the seventh minute, in honour of the number seven shirt he wore during his playing days.
The club stated it will consult Keegan’s family about plans for a permanent tribute to celebrate his legacy.
Keegan, who also managed England, Fulham, and Manchester City, revealed earlier this year that he was fighting stage-four cancer. His family confirmed that he died surrounded by his wife and daughters.
The former forward is one of the most influential figures in English football history, leaving a lasting mark as both a player and manager.
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