"We're in heaven, we've got Kevin."

The words of then-club Secretary Russell Cushing announcing Kevin Keegan's arrival in August 1982 were brought to mind on Sunday, as St.James' Park prepared to celebrate him for the final time.

A ground that welcomed him with open arms as a player 44 years earlier and again to "save us from disaster" (as the song had it) in both 1992 and 2008 came together once more.

History and fate decreed that there would be no final curtain call, but this was a fitting farewell at a place he loved and with players and supporters who loved him in attendance. One day we won't play here, but without a ball being kicked, this became another one for the Gallowgate memory bank. 

Liverpool, Newcastle and Kevin Keegan have been entwined for six decades; from his supporting role in Supermac's bow (1971) via FA Cup Final misery (1974) and his decision to retire after another FA Cup meeting and the subsequent testimonial and helicopter departure (1984).

Fast forward to the managerial era and after what remain United's most recent two Anfield victories (1994 and 1995) came what's become known as the first 4-3 (1996), when the recurring agony of time added on would begin to blight our supporting lives against this lot.

(Less well-known is that United boss Joe Harvey was alerted to Keegan's progress at Scunthorpe by an exiled Newcastle fan, only for the Reds to act quicker and tie up a deal of their own).

In a sport where staged events are now becoming the norm and the fixture list is routinely butchered in the name of entertainment and ratings, the scheduling of Newcastle United versus Liverpool as the season opener took on even greater significance after news of Keegan's passing broke in July.

A emotional send-off in the stands was followed by what was a perfect meeting of opponents on the pitch. The tributes would have been as heartfelt had Hull City kicked off the new season here, but it just wouldn't have felt the same.

On to other business then, and there was plenty of that.

The little matter of new faces in both the home and away dugouts was of lesser significance than that focus that shifting at the first whistle from hero to villain. To the consternation of those responsible for the audio and visual output beamed worldwide, chants of "Isak's a runt" (or similar) almost eclipsed the "Keegan Wonderland" ones that they had replaced in both volume and intent.

The first return of the Swede to Tyneside saw him relentlessly barracked; the tackles that flew in celebrated like goals. Had Joelinton played, both microphones and limbs would have been at risk.

Within five minutes of the start though, a wall of noise from home fans greeted an opening goal scored by Isak's fellow countryman. Given the variable accuracy of his shots, it was tempting to suggest that the crowd sucked in Anthony Elanga's maiden Premier League goal for the club.

That was the only goal of an opening half when a new-look Magpies side shook off their pre-season slumbers; the first serious team selection and pre-match talk of a manager in post for 23 days at least partly influenced by the fervour of the occasion. If this place can't inspire you, just pack in.

News of an injury to newly-installed club captain Dan Burn had hardly lightened the pre-game mood, given the stodginess of Sven Botman in warm-up games and the unproven fitness of Fabian Schar.

The Magpies had at least acted to solve the right back issue highlighted by the two home friendlies a week earlier, unproven pair Leo Shahar and Mason Miley standing down as Amar Dedic arrived to belatedly replace the departed Kieran Trippier and indisposed Tino Livramento.

Dedic was one a trio of debutants that more than held their own against the misfiring visitors: Lukas Hornicek soon earning applause as he dived to deny Florian Wirtz and 18 year-old Sean Steur looking eager and full of running in a central midfield berth alongside veteran 20 year-old Lewis Miley.

It helped that the visitors looked half-cooked and the veiled criticism of their incoming manager was based on what he'd witnessed in pre-season, rather than an invented motivational stance.

Ahead of today, the uncertainty at what sort of Newcastle team would turn up here had led us to seek solace in the fact that it was better to play Liverpool now than in a few weeks, when Andoni Iraola had drilled them into something resembling his Bournemouth sides who ritually unpicked us.

United's half time lead was deserved though: their effort and endeavour as much of a factor as Liverpool's own shortcomings.

A change in manager however failed to eliminate what became an almost ritual sluggishness from United after the interval last season. That was duly punished by a more engaged Reds side, Cody Gakpo finishing well from distance for 1-1 as Matthias Jaissle prepared to swap out the limping Will Osula and the knackered Steur.

The arrival of Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey had an instant and dramatic effect. Yoane Wissa, whose dynamic display was completely at odds to anything he served up last season, played in Willock to fire home - the most unlikely scorer finding the same part of the Gallowgate End net at almost the same time as KK had in August 1982 (57 minutes now, 60 minutes then). We couldn't, could we?

Like their opener, United's second was a classic example of counter culture, both attacks starting with interventions near the home box, prompting lightning breaks upfield, roared on by the crowd.  

However, two actions in the closing stages played pivotal parts in ensuring the infamous "points dropped from winning positions" statistic reappeared for the black and whites.

Had Wissa made more of a glorious shooting chance in the 86th minute than meekly hit Alisson, then the two goal cushion his side and fans desperately craved may well have become a reality.

And had Jaissle not opted to replace Wissa with Fabian Schar as the allotted five minutes of extra time concluded, referee Stuart Attwell may well have blown his whistle before Munoz and Hall tangled in what had then become time added on to time added on.

Lewis Hall made contact in the box with Victor Munoz - who turned down a move to United in the close season and he duly tumbled over. Never mind favouring Liverpool, in the current nonsense world of football, that was a penalty. If there's a frustration, it's that Harvey Barnes may have got there.

A cluster of visiting players occupied the penalty spot, but the fact that Isak wasn't among them gave rise to the fleeting thought that he was going to take it. Could St.James' slay the dragon and provide the ultimate finish? Sadly, reality intervened as Dominic Szoboszlai rifled in the spot kick. At least that new front row of seats isn't close enough for home fans to slump over the hoardings.... 

That heartbreaker came in the 99th minute - sixty seconds fewer than their winner at the same end 12 months before. The game ended almost immediately, leaving SJP visibly and audibly deflated and Iraola unbeaten in all seven of his Premier League visits here.

Gut-wrenching then, but not wholly unexpected given the modern history of this fixture. Once the emotions subside, this was a performance with positives for those of a Toon persuasion, albeit with the old caveat about reserving judgement until that bloody window closes. Failing to back the new manager with further reinforcements would be as risky as allowing the likes of Hall to depart.

Isak inevitably got the treatment, but gratifyingly the efforts of the current Magpies held the collective attention rather than the departed quartet of Gordon, Tonali, Guimaraes and Howe.

Even if the team played better overall than we'd dared hope for, this was one of those draws that definitely felt like a defeat. If nothing else though, it finished 2-2, not 2-3.... or 3-4.

To us, there were echoes today of the 3-3 draw with Manchester City in August 2022. That day saw a Gallowgate crowd bathed in sunshine experience emotions that ranged through euphoria and misery to satisfaction and ultimately, relief.

We ended that report thus: "His team may not have won, but the 30th league game of Eddie Howe's reign was the most enjoyable to date: a genuine source of both celebration and optimism."

Without rewriting that for Jaissle in 2026, we're at least a little bit more glass half full than before.

Biffa