St James Park fell silent, then roared with gratitude, as Newcastle United and Liverpool united to honour the life and legacy of Kevin Keegan before their Premier League meeting.

Keegan, who died at 75 after a battle with cancer, was remembered by both clubs he helped define. Players from Newcastle and Liverpool warmed up in special shirts bearing “Keegan 7” on the back, a nod to the number he wore during his glittering Liverpool career, when he became one of Europe’s most feared forwards.

Inside the stadium, supporters from both sides created a sweeping visual tribute. A vast tifo rose from the stands, flanked by banners and tens of thousands of coloured cards. Even the away end shimmered in red, a rare moment when club colours blended rather than clashed, reflecting Keegan’s unique place in the histories of both teams.

Before kick-off, the crowd observed a minute of applause, a celebration of a life that spanned eras and generations. Players from both sides wore black armbands, a simple, stark symbol of collective mourning.

In an open letter to Newcastle supporters, Keegan’s family described how moved they had been by the outpouring of affection. They spoke of the “sea of black and white shirts and scarves, alongside colours from so many other clubs,” and how it underlined the breadth of Keegan’s impact across the game. The tributes, they said, brought his stories to life for his grandchildren, showing them how deeply he was loved.

Keegan’s journey remains one of English football’s defining tales. Signed by Liverpool from Scunthorpe United in 1971, he became the heartbeat of Bill Shankly’s and then Bob Paisley’s sides, winning three First Division titles, the European Cup, two UEFA Cups and the FA Cup. A move to Hamburg brought two Ballon d’Or awards and a Bundesliga title, before spells at Southampton and then Newcastle.

At St James Park he inspired promotion as a player, then returned as manager in 1992 to build the swashbuckling “Entertainers” who came agonisingly close to a Premier League title and reshaped Newcastle’s identity. He also captained England, winning 63 caps and scoring 21 goals.

On this night, though, rivalry paused. Newcastle and Liverpool stood together, saluting a man who made both clubs dream.