By D’Andre McKenzie

There’s something different about experiencing a city for the first time when football is the reason you’re there.

On August 23, I made my first trip to Newcastle upon Tyne as Newcastle United prepared to open their 2026–27 Premier League season against Liverpool at St. James’ Park.

New city. New stadium. New fans. New experience.

And after attending Arsenal vs. Coventry City just a couple of days earlier, this would officially be my second Premier League match.

I was excited.

But once I arrived in Newcastle, I quickly realized this wasn’t going to be just another opening-day match.

There was history behind this one. There were emotions behind it. And there was one man connecting almost everything surrounding the day: Kevin Keegan.

Remembering King Kev

Kevin Keegan passed away on July 20, 2026, at the age of 75. His death hit the football world hard, but especially Newcastle and Liverpool, two clubs where his legacy runs incredibly deep.

Keegan became a star at Liverpool during the 1970s, winning three league titles, an FA Cup, two UEFA Cups and the European Cup before eventually becoming a two-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Later in his playing career, he came to Newcastle United and helped the club earn promotion back to the top flight.

But his connection to Newcastle became even stronger when he returned as manager.

From 1992 to 1997, Keegan helped transform Newcastle into one of the most exciting teams in English football. His famous “Entertainers” competed for the Premier League title and became one of the defining teams of the era. He eventually returned for a second stint as Newcastle manager in 2008.

So when Liverpool came to St. James’ Park for Newcastle’s first Premier League match since Keegan’s death, the two clubs came together to honor someone who meant so much to both sides.

Before kickoff, the atmosphere was emotional.

There were tributes throughout the stadium, including a video celebrating Keegan’s career, a display involving Newcastle and Liverpool supporters, and a center-circle mosaic created from shirts supporters had left at St. James’ Park following his death.

Both teams warmed up in shirts bearing Keegan’s name and famous No. 7, wore black armbands during the match, and joined the stadium for a minute’s applause before kickoff.

For someone like me who didn’t grow up around English football, it gave me a much better understanding of just how much one person can mean to a club and a city.

You could feel what Kevin Keegan meant to Newcastle.

Another Story Hanging Over the Match

Of course, Keegan wasn’t the only storyline surrounding Newcastle and Liverpool.

There was also Alexander Isak.

This was Newcastle’s second season without their former star striker, who now plays for Liverpool after an ugly departure from the club that clearly left a bad taste in the mouths of plenty of Newcastle supporters.

I talked with fans outside St. James’ Park before the match, and they weren’t shy about telling me how they felt.

There was still anger over Isak and how everything ended.

But on this particular afternoon, those feelings existed alongside something much bigger.

Fans wanted Newcastle to win. They wanted to beat Liverpool. But they also wanted the day to properly honor Kevin Keegan.

Once the game started, though, all that emotion turned into noise.

Newcastle Strikes First

Newcastle wasted absolutely no time.

Just five minutes into the match, Anthony Elanga finished off a Newcastle counterattack to give the Magpies a 1–0 lead.

And St. James’ Park erupted.

This was exactly the type of start Newcastle supporters wanted.

Liverpool pushed for an equalizer, but Newcastle held onto its advantage through halftime.

For a club playing its first Premier League match of the season, on a day carrying this much emotion, Newcastle was 45 minutes away from starting the campaign with a massive win.

Liverpool had other plans.

Cody Gakpo equalized in the 55th minute, firing home to make it 1–1.

Suddenly, the momentum seemed like it might be shifting.

Newcastle answered almost immediately.

Joe Willock had just entered the match as a substitute when he put Newcastle back in front in the 57th minute.

2–1.

St. James’ Park exploded again.

And from there, Newcastle held on.

And held on.

And held on.

The clock kept moving, Liverpool kept pushing, and Newcastle kept getting closer to what would’ve been a perfect ending to an emotional afternoon.

Then came the 99th minute.

One Final Twist

Liverpool substitute Victor Muñoz went down inside the box after a challenge from Newcastle’s Lewis Hall.

Penalty.

You could almost feel the mood inside St. James’ Park change instantly.

Newcastle had been seconds away.

Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up for Liverpool with essentially the final kick of the match.

He scored.

2–2.

Just like that, Newcastle went from celebrating what looked like an opening-day victory to walking away with a single point.

Liverpool had stolen a draw at the death.

For Newcastle supporters, it was devastating.

They had led twice. They were seconds away from three points. They were ready to celebrate an emotional victory in front of their home supporters.

Instead, the final whistle came with the scoreboard reading:

Newcastle United 2, Liverpool 2.

Newcastle Made an Impression on Me

After the match, I went back outside and talked to supporters again.

As you can imagine, emotions were everywhere.

Some were angry. Some were disappointed. Some couldn’t believe Newcastle had let the victory slip away that late.

But that’s part of what made the experience so memorable.

This was only my second Premier League match, and I’m continuing to realize how different the relationship between supporters and their clubs can feel here.

For Newcastle fans, this isn’t something they casually show up for on the weekend.

The club is tied to the city.

You see the shirts everywhere. You hear people talking about the team everywhere. And when you get around St. James’ Park on matchday, it feels like the entire city is moving toward the same place.

As an American coming over and experiencing Newcastle for the first time, that’s what stood out to me.

And the people were great to me.

Newcastle supporters were generous, welcoming and willing to talk football with somebody who was experiencing their city and their club for the first time.

So now I’ve got a problem.

I still need a Premier League team.

I haven’t officially picked one yet. I’m still learning the clubs, the cities, the traditions and the fan bases before I make that decision.

But Newcastle definitely made a strong case.

Maybe this becomes my team.

I don’t know yet.

What I do know is that Newcastle gave me one hell of a first impression.

A legendary stadium. A passionate fan base. Four goals. A 99th-minute equalizer. And an emotional tribute to a man who meant so much to both clubs.

Not bad for my second Premier League match.

And with the season officially underway, I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on Newcastle.

On to the next one.

— D’Andre McKenzie