Newcastle United is set to honour club legend Kevin Keegan today at St James' Park as they host Liverpool in their Premier League opener. Tifos, banners, and a 52,000-card salute are planned, alongside a mosaic in the centre circle crafted from shirts left in tribute following Keegan's death last month.
The match sees Newcastle in a period of transition under new manager Matthias Jaissle. The club generated over £200m from the sales of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimarães, though summer signings Bazoumana Touré (£43m from Hoffenheim) and Aladji Bamba (£30m from Monaco) are not in today's starting XI.
Alexander Isak's British-record fee departure from Newcastle last summer was a major factor in the club's previous poor campaign. Meanwhile, Liverpool's new signing Víctor Muñoz looks promising, and teenage star Rio Ngumoha, who scored a 100th-minute winner against Newcastle last season, could have a significant season.