St James' Park U-turn confirmed as Newcastle United v Liverpool plans change

Keegan - a Newcastle legend as both a player and manager - was set to be the subject of a St James' Park flag display in the minutes leading up to kick-off against Liverpool on Wednesday night.

However, the pre-match celebration will not go ahead of planned. In the aftermath of Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace - where United failed to register a shot at goal - the group say “the timing called for something different”.

Wor Flags made a big push for donations, even calling on record goalscorer Alan Shearer. Keegan had been invited to the game but is unable to attend. The 73-year-old has not attended a match at St James’ Park since his second spell as manager came to an end in 2008.

“Thanks to your incredibly generous donations, we have all the makings of a display fit for King Kev,” Wor Flags wrote on X. “We’re excited to share this with you in the future. This week however, we felt the timing called for something different.

“To clarify, we will still be doing a Kevin Keegan display in the future and none of the money raised for the Keegan display specifically has been used for another display. We are just letting everyone know it won't be this week.

“We always try our best to set the right tone at matches based on the feeling at the time, from that it’s clear that our message needs to be for the current group and to try help create a massive atmosphere on Wednesday night.”

Eddie Howe’s side host league leaders Liverpool having fallen into the bottom half of the Premier League table.

After recording back-to-back league wins against Arsenal and Nottingham Forest before the international break, United lost to West Ham United last Monday before Daniel Munzo’s 94th minute equaliser denied them three points at Selhurst Park. -