A series of unfortunate events leaves Tino Livramento in an almost impossible position at Newcastle United.
Livramento has a transformative impact on this Newcastle United team, along with Lewis Hall.
Eddie Howe’s side are unbeaten in the four Premier League games the pair have started this season, such is their importance to the cause.
Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall need help!
Still, injuries to Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth leave Howe short at right-back.
Livramento is only just back from an injury himself and cannot be expected to play every single minute of every single upcoming game.
As such, Howe is in an almost impossible situation in regard to the England international.
Tino Livramento has no back-up at Newcastle United amid relentless fixture schedule
Trippier’s hamstring injury is likely to rule him out of the next several games, while Krafth has also been dealing with a knee issue.
Even when fit, Krafth just cannot match either Livramento or Trippier for quality.
It’s unfortunate to lose two right-backs so quickly, particularly at this point of the campaign.
Livramento is one of Newcastle’s most important players and will almost certainly start when the team are at their strongest.
What do you make of Tino Livramento’s comments when asked about his Newcastle United future?
“I’m in a position where I’m trusted by the manager, the players – I feel loved by the fans too. I love pulling on the black and white shirt.”
Tino Livramento, speaking to Premier League reporter Andy Sixsmith in December 2025
Still, and while he’s shown little sign of any ill-effects following his knee injury, not even the former Southampton defender can be expected to appear in every minute over the festive period.
Howe’s side must navigate five games in the 19 days before Christmas. They simply aren’t the same team without Livramento, but they will surely have to find a way to allow him to rest and recover.
Tino Livramento is the game-changer Newcastle United currently cannot replace
Livramento and Hall give Newcastle a different attacking dimension, something Trippier and stand-in left-back Dan Burn just cannot do.
That’s not a reflection on those as players, it’s just the harsh truth.
There simply isn’t a replacement for him in the Newcastle squad right now.
While Newcastle do want sign a new full-back in January, finding a player of sufficient quality to step in for either Livramento or Hall will be incredibly difficult.
The one option Howe does have at his disposal right now is deploying Jacob Murphy at right-wing back, but that is hardly ideal.
Livramento’s importance to the cause cannot be overstated.