Liverpool and Newcastle fans paid an emotional tribute to the late, great Kevin Keegan as the two-time Ballon d’Or winner’s life was celebrated by two of his former clubs
Liverpool and Newcastle fans paid tribute to Kevin Keegan before their clash on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
The two clubs meet at St James’ Park for their first game of the season, which also marks the first time the two sides have met since the death of Keegan at the age of 75 last month following a battle with cancer. Keegan was also remembered at the Etihad Stadium before his former club Manchester City took on Bournemouth.
Matchday programmes for the game focused on Keegan’s memory as both sets of fans raised emotional banners in his honour while Sir Kenny Dalglish and Ian Rush laid a wreath outside of St James’ Park.
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Liverpool fans held a ‘ Keegan ‘ tifo aloft in the away end at the top of the stand, directly above a huge No.7 banner as both sets of supporters came together to pay an emotional tribute. The Gallowgate End raised a banner with a ‘King Kev’ flag opposite the tunnel. A flags referencing his iconic quote: “I want people to dream about their football club. They should. We should all be dreamers at heart.
“Some people are the opposite and say ‘we can’t do that’, but when you ask them why, they can’t give a reason. Well I say, why not?'”
Before kick-off, a moment’s applause echoed around the stadium as chants of ‘There’s only one Kevin Keegan’ rang out around the ground.
Keegan’s family revealed in January that he had been diagnosed with stage four stomach cancer. And speaking at an event in Newcastle in May, Keegan emotionally said: “I want to say goodbye. I didn’t get the chance when I left the club last time.”
Both clubs shared they would collaborate to produce a fitting tribute for their beloved hero, with hosts Newcastle releasing a statement, saying: “The opening Premier League match of 2026/27 sees Newcastle United hosting Liverpool – where Kevin made 323 appearances between 1971 and 1977.
“To ensure his memory is marked fittingly before the game, the club is in communication with Liverpool and will work closely with supporter groups, including its Fan Advisory Board, the Newcastle United Supporters Trust and Wor Flags, as well as the Premier League, to shape tributes.”
Liverpool said: “LFC is also in direct contact with Newcastle United, ahead of the Premier League opener at St. James’ Park, regarding special tributes to Keegan, who represented both clubs so successfully.
“In addition, a further tribute will be held ahead of the Reds’ first Premier League home match of the season, on Saturday, August 29 against Nottingham Forest.”
Keegan played six years at Liverpool, winning three league titles, the European Cup, two UEFA Cups and the FA Cup before joining Bundesliga giants Hamburg in 1977. The 63-time England international spent three years in Germany, where he won the league and was twice awarded the Ballon d’Or as Hamburg finished runners-up in the 1980 European Cup.
Returning to England, Keegan signed for Southampton, scoring 42 goals in 80 games, but two years later joined Newcastle in the Second Division, netting 27 times in 41 games as the Magpies won promotion back to the top-flight in the 1983/84 campaign.
Keegan started his managerial career with Newcastle in 1992, winning the second-flight title to reach the Premier League in his first season.
He went on to lead the team dubbed ‘The Entertainers’ into the Champions League and narrowly missed out on winning their first league title since 1927.
Keegan later returned to St James’ Park in 2008, three years after leaving Manchester City and eight years after managing England. He was able to keep Newcastle in the top flight but resigned just weeks into the following season.