Newcastle to probe after unsettling pre-match footage from Liverpool game emerges
Arne Slot’s Liverpool boosted their bid for a top-four finish with a commanding 4–1 Premier League win over Newcastle United at Anfield on Saturday. Yet the post-match focus shifted after footage emerged showing a young Newcastle mascot left alone on the pitch before kick-off, prompting the club to promise contact with her family.
Eddie Howe’s side struggled throughout the game. Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in the 36th minute, but Liverpool hit back quickly as Hugo Ekitike netted twice in quick succession between the 41st and 43rd minutes, giving the reigning champions a slim lead at half-time. Florian Wirtz extended the advantage just before the 70th minute, and Ibrahima Konaté sealed the victory in stoppage time with his first Liverpool goal not scored with his head.
However, attention later turned to troubling footage circulating online. After the pre-match handshakes, the young Newcastle mascot was left standing alone on the pitch. Unsure of where to go, she wandered toward the halfway line with her hands in her pockets. The clip does not reveal what happened once the players returned to view.
A Liverpool staff member was seen trying to guide her back to the Newcastle squad, but she appeared understandably hesitant.
Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards reported that Newcastle have since pledged to make amends and will reach out to the mascot’s family. Senior club officials were alerted after the video gained traction on social media. Edwards wrote on X: “I’ve spoken to people at Newcastle this evening after seeing this, and they want to make amends with the mascot. I felt so sorry for the little girl.”
On the pitch, Newcastle are still feeling the loss of Alexander Isak from the summer of 2025, despite signing Nick Woltemade as his replacement. The heavy defeat at Anfield highlighted their struggles this season, leaving them mid-table in the 2025/26 Premier League, eight points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.
They will look to recover when they face Manchester City in the League Cup on Wednesday, before hosting Brentford next weekend and travelling to Tottenham shortly after. While a top-four finish remains attainable, consistent performances—especially from new signing Woltemade—will be key.
Newcastle also face a congested schedule, with an FA Cup tie against Aston Villa on Valentine’s Day and a Champions League play-off coming up, having finished 12th in the group stage and chasing a spot in the knockout rounds.