Newcastle Launch Inquiry Following Disturbing Pre-Liverpool Match Footage
Liverpool Strengthen Top-Four Hopes as Newcastle Pledge to Contact Young Mascot
Arne Slot’s Liverpool boosted their Premier League top-four aspirations with a convincing 4-1 win over Newcastle United on Saturday evening. However, attention also turned to a pre-match incident in which a young Newcastle mascot was left standing alone on the Anfield pitch, prompting the Magpies to pledge they will reach out to her family.
Match Recap: Liverpool Dominate
Newcastle struggled to find their rhythm from the start. Anthony Gordon gave Liverpool the lead in the 36th minute, but Hugo Ekitike’s quickfire double between the 41st and 43rd minute meant the reigning Premier League champions went into halftime with just a one-goal advantage.
Florian Wirtz, signed in the summer, extended Liverpool’s lead to two goals just before the 70th minute, and Ibrahima Konate scored his first-ever non-headed goal for the club in stoppage time to seal the 4-1 victory.
Newcastle to Contact Family of Mascot
A clip that emerged after the match showed the young Newcastle mascot left alone while players prepared for the game. Standing behind captain Kieran Trippier, Sandro Tonali, and Dan Burn as they removed their tracksuits, the girl wandered to the halfway line looking uncertain, with little guidance on what to do next.
Although a Liverpool staff member eventually encouraged her to join the Newcastle players, she remained understandably hesitant. Following the clip going viral on social media, Newcastle confirmed they would contact her family to make amends.
Luke Edwards of The Telegraph shared:
“I have been in touch with people at Newcastle this evening after seeing this, and they are looking to make things right with the mascot. Felt so sorry for the little girl.”
Newcastle Look to Bounce Back
Newcastle, who lost Alexander Isak in the summer of 2025 and brought in Nick Woltemade as his replacement, suffered a heavy blow with this defeat, leaving them mid-table in the 2025/26 Premier League and eight points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
The Magpies now turn their attention to a League Cup clash against a wounded Manchester City on Wednesday, before hosting Brentford and visiting Tottenham in the league. Securing a top-four finish remains possible, but they will need key summer signings like Woltemade to step up.
On top of domestic competitions, Newcastle also have an FA Cup tie against Aston Villa on 14 February and a Champions League play-off to navigate if they are to reach the knockout stages, having finished 12th in the group stage.