Newcastle United's players came under fire after a video circulated online that showed a young mascot left by herself ahead of the game against Liverpool at Anfield and the club have now responded
Connor O'Neill
10:40, 02 Feb 2026Updated 11:09, 02 Feb 2026
Newcastle United's players have come under fire after a video circulated that appeared to show a young mascot left alone ahead of the game against Liverpool
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Newcastle United's players have come under fire after a video circulated that appeared to show a young mascot left alone ahead of the game against Liverpool
Newcastle United club chiefs have vowed to put things right after a young mascot was 'left by herself' by captain Kieran Trippier ahead of the defeat to Liverpool.
Eddie Howe’s side were thrashed 4-1 by the Reds at Anfield on Saturday night – despite the fact they took the lead through Anthony Gordon. However, following the game, a video emerged on social media showing Newcastle’s mascot for the game, a young girl, left alone and looking confused in the centre of the pitch after Howe’s side all raced away to prepare for the match following the pre-game handshake.
The camera then panned to the opposite side of the pitch, where Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk was passing a ball to his side's three young mascots. Newcastle captain Trippier and his team-mates have since come under fire for leaving the young girl by herself, with plenty pointing out how the video is not a good look for the skipper or the club.
Girl is left on her own in the centre circle
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Girl is left on her own in the centre circle
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And the captain got hammered online with one fan posting to X: Kieran Trippier “forgot?” the Newcastle mascot alone at the middle of the pitch and she looked confused and nervous…"
Another said: "Disappointing ??? That's an understatement !!! This poor girl will be devastated !!! Trippier had one job, to walk out with the mascot and then make sure she got back off the pitch safely. I hope the club do more than just reach out."
While a third added: "So bad. Why Trippier completely neglected her after the handshakes is unfathomable. My son was a mascot last night. We can see from this video that Trippier was looking after her then just simply left her …"
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However, the The Telegraph is reporting that after the clip ends, the young girl was taken over by Newcastle, where she shook hands with manager Eddie Howe.
It is now claimed Newcastle will not only reach out to the family of the mascot but have also pledged to look into what happened and put things right for the young supporter.
Responding to the incident, the Newcastle United Supporters Trust said in a statement released on Monday morning: “We spoke to the club about this yesterday – they are aware and it is being addressed and action being taken.”
Kieran Trippier against Liverpool
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Kieran Trippier against Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
Despite taking the lead at Anfield through Gordon, Hugo Ekitike scored twice in two minutes for Liverpool as he turned the game on its head heading into the break. Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate then wrapped up the victory for Arne Slot’s side in the second-half.
"We are really disappointed because I thought it was a strong performance - 4-1 is really hard on us,” Howe said afterwards. “We scored a great goal, started really strongly and we were a strong counter-attack threat.
"It is just the manner of the goals conceded were really poor from our perspective. I would not expect us normally to concede those types of goal.
The little girl looks decidedly lost
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The little girl looks decidedly lost
"You've got to give Hugo Ekikike a lot of credit, especially the second goal. I thought it was an unbelievable run and finish but I don't think we cover ourselves in glory on the small details.
"We switch off for a few seconds on a goal kick and you kick yourselves afterward because they are key moments in the game.
"The message (at half-time) was that we are very much in the game and to keep passing the ball. We felt like we were giving them problems. Our athleticism was really strong today. We started the second half really strongly.
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"There were a number of set-plays throughout that we probably didn't do as well as we should have done, On another day, I think that game looks very different. 4-1 looks very comfortable and I don't think it was for Liverpool."