· April 3 2025, 18:30
**Tino Livramento has been nothing short of sensational for Newcastle United in the last few games and it obviously hasn't gone unnoticed by his manager, Eddie Howe.**
We've got to hold our hands up and admit we were wrong here. When it became apparent that Tino Livramento would be playing on the left side of the defence to cover for the injured Lewis Hall, we were the first to say that Kieran Trippier, who has covered that position at international level, was the best choice to play left-back.
In the past we have criticised Livramento for killing counter-attacks stone dead by not crossing the ball straight away, opting to stop the progress and play the ball backwards.
Then when he moved out to the left we only saw that getting worse with him having to cross with his weaker foot.
Striding onto the battlefield like a colossus
Tino Livramento has really proved us wrong in the last three games
------------------------------------------------------------------
We've never been more happy to be wrong. In Newcastle's last three games with Tino at left-back, he has nullified Jarrod Bowen, Mo Salah and Bryan Mbeumo.
Not only that, but his crossing has led to chances on goal and even led to a goal at Wembley when Jacob Murphy nodded down Tino's inch-perfect cross to Alexander Isak to fire home Newcastle's winner.
He has exceeded our expectations and probably Eddie Howe's. It's actually criminal that he keeps being overlooked as a starter for England.
Does Eddie Howe keep the Tino Livramento and Harvey Barnes partnership going?
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part of what has worked well for Tino is the partnership he has forged with Harvey Barnes down the left flank. Much like Lewis Hall and Anthony Gordon.
Now with Gordon returning to fitness and having served his suspension, Eddie Howe faces a big decision whether to split the partnership up and reinstate Gordon or stick with Barnes.
Given what Eddie Howe told the media (via [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-make-harvey-barnes-31343830)) about the partnership, he may just stick with what is working on Monday night.
> _"Tino has done really well. It was another big game for him against Brentford because he was playing against arguably their most dangerous player. I thought he defended very well._
>
> _"Athletically, Tino's excellent and we know that and we've seen that since he's come to the football club, but to have that responsibility of playing left-back on the opposite side to his natural foot and play the way he has – and also build the relationship with Harvey that he has done._
>
> _"I think they've played very well together, 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."_