Newcastle have confirmed the pre-match tributes that will take place before their Premier League opener against Liverpool on Sunday to celebrate the life of Kevin Keegan. Keegan, a legend of both Newcastle and Liverpool, died in July at the age of 75 after his family announced in January that he had been diagnosed with stage-four cancer.Tributes poured in for Keegan in the wake of his passing, with thousands of supporters leaving shirts outside Newcastles St. James Park home to create a remarkable memorial for the clubs former player and manager.Newcastle have paid tribute to Keegan throughout the pre-season and on Wednesday the club announced how they and Liverpool will remember a man synonymous with both teams ahead of a fitting opening fixture of the campaign.Newcastle announce Keegan tribute plansA statement from Newcastle read: The football world was devastated by the news of Kevins passing in July, and the outpouring of love for one of our greatest players and managers has been remarkable and profound.Thousands of supporters created a memorial for Kevin that was seen around the world, reminding everyone of the deep affection held for him in Tyneside and far beyond.At St. James Park on Sunday afternoon, both clubs will come together to honour Kevin, acknowledging a legendary figure loved by both sets of supporters.We are asking supporters to arrive early in order to be part of honouring Kevins life.A video tribute will be played on stadium screens looking back at Kevins legendary playing and managerial career.There will also be stadium display by Wor Flags that includes home and visiting supporters.On the pitch, a centre-circle mosaic will be laid after the players warm-ups that is made from shirts left at St. James Park by supporters in his memory.Immediately before kick-off, the players will gather around the centre circle for a minutes applause as we remember Kevin and celebrate his contributions to both clubs.Both teams will warm up wearing shirts dedicated to Kevin, and the teams will wear black armbands during the match.Kevins family and a number of former players will be special guests of the club for the match, including members of Kevins famous Entertainers side.A short private ceremony will be held between both clubs and Kevins family before kick-off.Keegan sensationally joined Newcastle in 1982 when they were in the old Second Division and he was the PFA Players Player of the Year. The move essentially ended Keegans England career but he quickly became a hero on Tyneside, helping the Magpies to promotion in his second and final season as a player in the 1983-84 campaign.He returned as manager in 1992, rescuing the club from relegation to the third tier for the first time before building one of the most celebrated sides in Premier League history following promotion. His Entertainers captivated fans with their relentless commitment to attacking football and held a 12-point lead over Manchester United at the top of the table in 1995-96, only to famously let it slip in one of the most memorable title races in league history.Keegan later had managerial spells with Fulham, England and Manchester City, before a brief and ill-fated return to Newcastle in 2008.As a player, Keegan made his name with Liverpool. After joining the Reds from Scunthorpe United in 1971, Keegan won three First Division titles, the FA Cup scoring twice against Newcastle in the 1974 final the European Cup and two UEFA Cups in a six-year spell at Anfield that saw him score 100 goals, forming a superb partnership with John Toshack.He then moved to Hamburg, twice winning the Ballon dOr in his time there as he lifted the Bundesliga title, before returning to England to join Southampton and then ending his playing career at Newcastle.Keegan won 63 caps for England, scoring 21 goals, and captained his country. However, he featured in just two major tournaments, Euro 1980 and the 1982 World Cup, as his prime coincided with a period in which England missed out on qualification for two successive World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978. Topics Liverpool F.C. Newcastle United F.C. Premier League Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Full list of TV Premier League fixtures in October and early November Ben Miller 19th August, 2026 Fantasy Premier League 2026/27: Five low owned differentials to target ahead of Gameweek 1 Blake Hurst 19th August, 2026 Inter agree deal to sign fourth player from the Premier League Nicholas McGee 19th August, 2026 Arteta contract to be resolved very shortly, says Arsenal chief Nicholas McGee 19th August, 2026 BBC confirms Match of the Day line-up: Which pundits will feature in 2026-27? Nicholas McGee 19th August, 2026 Fantasy Premier League 2026/27: Three new Premier League signings worth a gamble Blake Hurst 19th August, 2026
