The full-back knows he is in a straight battle for the right-back slot at Newcastle United despite rising to be England's number 1 choice in the same position
Tino Livramento of England
Newcastle United's Tino Livramento started for England vs Uruguay(Image: Getty Images)
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Tino Livramento has played down talk he is becoming frustrated at the lack of starts with Newcastle United - after being named on the bench for crunch games against Sunderland and Barcelona.
Livramento, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, has watched on as Kieran Trippier started both games against the Wearsiders and at the Nou Camp in the Champions League, much to the displeasure of certain sections of supporters.
Livramento played the full 90 minutes for England and was trusted as first choice against Uruguay at Wembley for the 1-1 draw, even getting in the team and squad ahead of Real Madrid star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
When asked if playing second fiddle to Trippier was becoming a grind, Livramento told reporters at Wembley: "Not necessarily. Of course I would have loved to start those two games, they’re probably the biggest games we’ve had this season.
"But if you look at the last time, when I came back from my first knee injury, the manager said to me that he had to play me then. I think now we’ve almost learnt from that.
"I didn’t have a lot of time training at all and, with the schedule we had, it was tough to get that intensity and sharpness that you get from training.
"Looking at it selfishly, I would have loved to play. But from a professional standpoint and looking into the future, I think it was the right thing."
If Alexander-Arnold does - somewhat sensationally - not get picked for the World Cup and miss out on the greatest show on earth, it would leave Livramento in the driving seat at right-back with Ben White and Djed Spence possible cover options.
Speaking about that competitive edge in the England camp under Thomas Tuchel, Livramento said: "To some extent there is more edge, because everyone wants to play.
Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier
Newcastle's Kieran Trippier(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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"It’s nice to get called up, but it’s even better to be on the pitch. I’ve had to wait numerous times in the past for my opportunity. All I’m focused on is that chance to impress."
Speaking after the 1-1 draw against the South American side ranked 17th in world football, Livramento was not too downhearted despite England throwing away the lead. Ben White, who had opened the scoring, gave away a penalty for a foul on Federico Vinas before Federico Valverde stepped up to steal a draw in stoppage time.
Livramento reflected: "It was positive on the main. Coming into the game, we had limited time together.
"We were very happy with the stuff we managed to do in the game against a good opponent. We should have won the game, but stuff happens. I’m happy with the way that I played."
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