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Newcastle United are without first-choice left-back Lewis Hall but his absence hasn’t been felt truly yet.
It’s mad to think that Newcastle United possess the best left-back and best makeshift left-back in the Premier League... Now, that is said with a hint of humour, although recent evidence suggests it is true.
Lewis Hall has been one of Newcastle’s best performers this campaign, with only AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez and Fulham’s Antonee Robinson giving the 20-year-old a run for his money in his position league-wide.
So, when it was confirmed last month that Hall’s 2024-25 campaign was over due to needing foot surgery, it was no wonder Newcastle fans were left worried. How will the team cope? What about the Carabao Cup final? Step forward Tino Livramento.
Tino Livramento has lessened the Lewis Hall blow
A right-back by trade, playing on the opposite flank hasn’t been alien to Livramento since he joined from Southampton for £32million in August 2023. However, it still has been a somewhat baptism of fire for the 22-year-old when you consider the opponents he has come directly up against.
In his three matches since switching from right to left, Livramento has faced three of the Premier League’s toughest right forwards in Jarrod Bowen, Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo, yet barely gave either one a sniff.
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But it isn’t just his defensive work that’s been excellent, the speedy Croydon-born defender has often set the tone from an attacking point of view. Against Liverpool in the final, it was Livramento who showed the bravery and desire to carry the ball forward in the opening stages.
That continued until the final whistle with Livramento providing the cross that Jacob Murphy headed back across goal and Alexander Isak directed past Caoimhin Kelleher. And it was almost the same again on Wednesday night when Isak just headed wide Livramento’s left-footed delivery.
What Eddie Howe said about Tino Livramento at left-back
“Yeah, Tino's done really well. I think another big game for him today, because he's playing against arguably their most dangerous player [Mbeumo]. I thought he defended very well.
“Athletically, Tino's excellent, and we know that. We've seen that since he's come to the football club. But to have the responsibility of playing left-back on the opposite side to his natural foot and play the way that he has, and also building the relationship with Harvey [Barnes] that he has done, they've played very well together.
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“I thought Harvey was very good again today. I just see Tino improving and getting better all the time. We're delighted to have him.
In his 71 appearances for Newcastle, there is an argument - in fact it isn’t even an argument -to say Livramento’s best games have come at left-back. If Hall weren’t at the club then you’d probably be hearing calls to keep him there.
But Hall is here and remains United’s first-choice option. For as long as that is the case, Livramento must carry his form on the left side over to the right side.
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