Newcastle United and Liverpool are in discussions over a tribute to Kevin Keegan before their Premier League opener at St James' Park on Sunday 23 August, the club confirmed. Keegan, who died at 75 this week after revealing stage four cancer in June, is revered at both clubs: he won three league titles, the European Cup, two Uefa Cups and the FA Cup during six years at Liverpool, then guided Newcastle to promotion in 1992–93 and second place in 1995–96 as manager. Newcastle said in a statement they are talking to Liverpool "to ensure [Keegan's] memory is marked fittingly before the game". The club added they "will work closely with supporter groups – as well as the Premier League, to shape tributes."
Black armbands will be worn by Newcastle's men's, women's and under-21 sides during pre-season matches. A minute's silence will be observed before Eddie Howe's side face Gateshead in an away friendly this Saturday. Keegan's photo will be displayed on screens at St James' Park in the seventh minute—a reference to the number seven shirt he wore—when the men's side face Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg on 15 and 16 August. The same tribute will occur when the women's team face Inter Milan on 16 August, prompting a minute's applause. Newcastle said they will consult Keegan's family on plans for a permanent tribute. His family said he was "surrounded by his wife and daughters in his final moments."
“Newcastle and Liverpool plan tribute for Keegan before season opener; Garnacho joins Villa on loan with £43m clause”
The season opener, scheduled for 4:30pm BST on 23 August, will see Andoni Iraola take charge of Liverpool for his debut match. Other eye-catching fixtures that weekend include Arsenal hosting Coventry on Friday 21 August, Hull welcoming Manchester United on Saturday, and Manchester City starting life after Pep Guardiola at home to Bournemouth on the same day as Liverpool's trip to Newcastle.
In a separate move, Aston Villa announced the signing of Alejandro Garnacho on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The deal includes a £43m conditional obligation to buy based on appearances for the Argentina international, 22. Chelsea signed Garnacho from Manchester United for £40m less than 12 months ago and stand to benefit from a 10% sell-on clause should the move become permanent. The winger made 43 appearances for Chelsea last season, just over half from the start. Villa manager Unai Emery said: "We are delighted with Alejandro. He is so talented, young and he showed us his wish to help our project. We are really happy." Villa teased the move on social media: "We already knew claret and blue looked good on him…"—a reference to when Garnacho wore a Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford's name on the back last year. Garnacho effectively replaces Jadon Sancho, who spent last season on loan at Villa and is now without a club after his United contract expired. Chelsea have six years left on Garnacho's deal if he does not stay at Villa.
