Eddie Howe about to be proven right about 'top talent' Tino Livramento

The Newcastle United youngster is set for a run of games in the side as a result of Kieran Trippier's injury

Tino Livramento started the campaign as Eddie Howe's go-to choice at right-back with doubts over Kieran Trippier's Newcastle United career. The former Chelsea trainee had made the spot his own after a strong finish to the 2023-24 campaign, an impressive debut season in the black and white of Newcastle.

Veteran right-back, Trippier, had forced his way back into Howe's starting XI in recent weeks, but with the England international picking up a hamstring injury, Livramento gets another crack at nailing down that slot on the right-hand side of the defence.

The 21-year-old has already filled the void left by Trippier in the current England set-up, having been called up to Lee Carsley's Three Lions squad once again. He's yet to make his senior debut for England, but is well on his way to doing so.

It'll come as no surprise to the Newcastle faithful, nor to the Magpies head coach who could see the potential in Livramento after his first few months on Tyneside.

"It's been a brilliant start to his Newcastle career," Howe said last season when asked about Livramento's integration into the Magpies squad.. "Whether he's played right-back, left-back or in a wide position, he's handled himself really well.

"It goes without saying how good he is athletically, highlighted by his goal against Wolves last weekend when he showed his running ability and then his technical quality to score.

"I actually think [this season] has been the ideal introduction to his return from injury because not only did he have a serious knee injury, but he had a hamstring injury just after that which kept him out. We needed to nurse him, manage him and look after him.

"How this season's gone has probably been the ideal introduction back and I still think there's more to come. I don't think we've seen the very best of him yet. I really do believe in his potential and there's a very exciting future ahead of him hopefully."

Newcastle have a number of tough games on the horizon, including a double header with Chelsea and Arsenal's visit to St James' Park, but there also easier games on the horizon.

Using stats from Fbref, we can compare the start to the current campaign between Livramento and Trippier which makes for interesting reading.

It'll come as no surprise to see Trippier excel in terms of his attacking output. The 34-year-old vastly outperforms Livramento in terms of assists, shot-creating actions, passes attempted, expected assisted goals, non-penalty expected goals plus expected assisted goals, touches and progressive passes received.

However, the youngster is superior in a number of defensive aspects of his game. Livramento has more clearances, completes more blocks, has a higher win percentage in aerial duels, better pass completion, more progressive carries, more successful take-ons and a higher percentage of dribblers tackled.

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