Eddie Howe will hope he has better luck when it comes to injuries in a key position
Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley and Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United celebrate
Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley and Malick Thiaw of Newcastle United(Image: Getty Images)
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Just typical. As soon as Newcastle United get Tino Livrameno back to full fitness, they lose Kieran Trippier to injury. Eddie Howe has had to deal with a succession of absent players this term, and while his squad is now looking strong in key areas, there remain some sections where it feels thin on the ground.
United have two quality right-backs in Livramento and Trippier, but with the latter now expected to be out until the new year, Howe will be acutely aware that he cannot afford any fresh setbacks for Livramento.
We have seen first hand how United suffered when he and Lewis Hall were out at the same time, with Dan Burn pressed into service as a left-back. The defender has excelled at centre-back, but while he again performed manly out of position, it's a big demand to ask him to take on the Premier League's elite wingers.
Livramento has fully recovered from the knee injury which had kept him out since September, but with Emil Krafth also injured, what would Howe do if the worst happened and he picked up another knock?
We've seen how Liverpool have struggled to deal with injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley this season, with Trent Alexander-Arnold now at Real Madrid.
Arne Slot has played the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Joe Gomez at right-back as he tries to compensate for injuries - without much success in recent weeks.
Howe will be hoping to avoid the same issues, of course, but here are some of his options if injury strikes again.
Malick Thiaw switch
The German has excelled in the centre of defence this season, but has experience of playing at full-back and could be an option. The dilemma would be over what United would lose at centre-back, but with Fabian Schar and Dan Burn already having established an excellent partnership, it's unlikely it would cause any negative impact.
Harrison Ashby debut
The full-back has yet to play for the first team after joining from West Ham in January 2023, but featured heavily in the pre-season programme.
An injury meant he was unable to deputise during Livramento's injury earlier this term, but he has since made three appearances for the Under-21s and could be an ideal option should Howe need to rotate.
Leo Shahar chance
United rate the 18-year-old, who has represented England at Under-17 and Under 18 levels. A regular for the club's Under-21s, he has been involved in matchday squads, and a decision could well be made soon on how to progress his career.
A loan move could be on the cards, but he could yet offer valuable back-up to the first-team squad.
Miley role
Howe switched Lewis Miley to right-back in the second half of United's 2-1 Champions League defeat to Marseille in November, and it's something he may consider again.
"I have always had my eye on Lewy potentially being able to play that role," Howe said. "It is difficult because we haven't seen him play it a lot and it is not something we have necessarily looked to do a lot in training because we don't want to take from his development as a midfielder."
January signing
Newcastle have money to spend in the transfer window, but finding the right player who is willing to come and play second fiddle to Livramento, and perhaps Trippier, would be a difficult proposition. Livramento has only just turned 23, so could be first choice for years to come.
United will have to have a back-up option when Trippier calls it a day, but it feels like a tricky deal to conclude right now.
Tactical change
One thing we've seen several times this season is a switch to a back five, with Jacob Murphy asked to play as a right-sided wing-back.
It's not his natural game, and United lose an attacking outlet when he is needed to play a deeper role, but he rarely lets anyone down out of position. A more natural wing-back would be preferable, however.