Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has praised Tino Livramento for the remarkable resilience he has shown since returning from injury — even as the club prepares to “consider” adding a new full-back in January to ease the growing workload.
Livramento suffered a knee injury in early October, but since making his comeback against Manchester City he has been plunged straight into an unforgiving schedule. Of the 360 minutes Newcastle have played since his return, the 23-year-old has featured in 330, a testament both to Howe’s reliance on him and to the club’s depleted depth at right-back.
With Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth both sidelined, Newcastle have effectively had no senior cover for Livramento. In a period of relentless fixtures, international breaks, and domestic cup commitments, the defender has been asked to shoulder a workload that would test even the most established Premier League full-backs. Howe, however, believes the former Southampton man is coping admirably.
Howe: “Tino’s okay… he’s done really well”
Reporters were keen to ask Howe whether the minutes burden was becoming unsustainable, particularly so soon after a knee layoff. The Newcastle boss was full of admiration.
“Tino’s okay, I think. He’s done really well. It’s been tough for him because he’s straight back in and playing a lot of minutes, but we don’t have any other options in that position currently.” — Eddie Howe
Having followed Howe’s full-back rotation closely over the past two seasons, the nuance is clear: Livramento is more than just a stopgap. His ability to invert into midfield, carry the ball aggressively and defend one-on-one has transformed Newcastle’s build-up patterns — much like Lewis Hall has on the opposite flank.
Although some supporters fear overuse, others note this sequence of starts may accelerate Livramento’s development into a cornerstone of Howe’s system.
Full-back reinforcements expected — but returning players will help
Newcastle “desperately need” a new full-back, according to club insiders, and Howe’s comments hint the recruitment team will look seriously at the market in January. The plan is not necessarily to sign a marquee starter, but rather a reliable rotation option who can protect Livramento and offer tactical variety.
Help could arrive before the window opens. Howe confirmed that Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth, both recovering from injuries, might return later this month. Neither offers quite the same athletic profile or one-versus-one dominance as Livramento, but as Howe emphasised, simply having bodies available changes everything — particularly during congested periods in December and January.
A nuance worth noting: Trippier’s leadership and delivery remain unmatched in the squad, and his return would give Howe an outlet in matches where experience rather than raw energy is required. Krafth, meanwhile, is trusted defensively and can slot in without destabilising the team’s structure.
Still, Newcastle’s long-term solution almost certainly lies in the transfer market. If the club expect to compete with Champions League-level rivals, they cannot enter the second half of the season with just Livramento and Hall as their only two natural full-backs.
Why Livramento is becoming essential to Newcastle’s identity
Livramento’s influence goes beyond raw minutes. In the four Premier League matches this season where he and Hall have started together, Newcastle are unbeaten — a statistic that highlights how Howe’s tactical model depends heavily on dynamic, adventurous full-backs.
Livramento’s carrying ability reshapes Newcastle’s right side, allowing midfielders to push into advanced pockets and giving the attack width without sacrificing defensive stability. Hall’s strengths mirror that on the left, meaning Howe can tilt the pitch in either direction depending on opponent and context.
Although some analysts argue Livramento must be protected from burnout, others see his current run as foundational: a stretch of games that establishes rhythm, chemistry and leadership responsibility in a side evolving away from reliance on older profiles.
Newcastle must protect Livramento — and strengthen around him
In our view, Howe’s praise for Livramento is justified, but it also underlines a structural problem. Newcastle’s squad, while talented, remains thin in key areas, and the right-back role is the clearest example.
Howe’s system demands huge physical output from his full-backs. Asking a player returning from a knee injury to take on near-automatic starts risks fatigue and long-term regression. The club understands this — hence their willingness to consider a January signing and their urgency to get Trippier and Krafth back into contention.
Newcastle’s ambitions require depth, not just talent. Livramento is flourishing, but he cannot carry the position alone if the club hope to challenge consistently for European places.
Key insights
- Livramento has played 330 of 360 minutes since returning from a knee injury.
- Howe praises his resilience but admits Newcastle have “no other options” at right-back.
- Trippier and Krafth expected to return later this month, easing the burden.
- Newcastle plan to “consider” signing a new full-back in January.
- Livramento and Hall’s partnership has left the team unbeaten in four league games.
What’s Next?
Newcastle host Burnley later on today, with Livramento again expected to start as Howe continues to juggle limited resources. Depending on Trippier and Krafth’s recovery timelines, this could be one of the final games where Livramento is forced to shoulder almost the entire defensive flank alone. Recruitment discussions will continue in parallel as the club aims to secure full-back depth before the January window closes.
👉 Should Newcastle prioritise a backup right-back in January, or push for a long-term starter to compete directly with Livramento?
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