Newcastle United’s £35 million signing, Tino Livramento, has been receiving high praise for his performances this season, with former Liverpool and England defender Glen Johnson calling him the “best” right-back in the Premier League. The 21-year-old has established himself as a key player for Newcastle, particularly under manager Eddie Howe, who trusted him as his first-choice right-back at the start of the 2024-25 season. This decision came after speculation about the future of veteran defender Kieran Trippier, which allowed Livramento to seize the opportunity and make the right-back position his own.
Livramento joined Newcastle from Southampton in a £35 million deal, a move that raised eyebrows due to his relative inexperience at the top level. However, despite being a young player, he impressed last season when given opportunities, delivering standout performances against some of the biggest clubs in the league, including Manchester City and Manchester United. Although his form dipped slightly at the start of the current season, his recent displays have shown that he is growing into his role at Newcastle, making his £35 million price tag look increasingly worthwhile.
One of his most notable performances came just last weekend in Newcastle’s 1-0 victory over Arsenal. Livramento was a standout player on the pitch, playing an important role in containing Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, a tricky opponent known for his pace and skill. While his teammate, Lewis Hall, was awarded man-of-the-match honors, many observers felt Livramento could easily have earned the accolade for his exceptional defensive work. His ability to neutralize Martinelli, one of the Premier League’s best wingers, was a testament to his growing confidence and tactical awareness.
Livramento’s performance against Arsenal demonstrated his potential to become one of the league’s top right-backs. While he may not possess the flashy, attention-grabbing style of some of his rivals, his game is based on solid fundamentals. His defensive positioning, work rate, and composure on the ball have allowed him to steadily improve each week. His development has been helped by his regular appearances in the starting lineup, which has built his confidence and allowed him to consistently showcase his ability.
Johnson, a former England right-back himself, has been particularly impressed with Livramento’s growth. Speaking to 10bet, he said, “I think Tino Livramento is the best right-back at this moment in time in the Premier League. He seems to be getting better week by week. He put in another fantastic performance this weekend against Arsenal. There’s nothing too fancy or too flashy to his game, but he does the basic stuff really well. And obviously, everyone’s always spoken about his potential. I think now he’s flourishing and playing every week in a team that’s doing well, which has given him confidence. He seems to be building on every performance at the moment.”
Livramento’s rise to prominence has been aided by the absence of Kieran Trippier, who has been sidelined with injury. With Trippier still recovering, Livramento is likely to continue in the starting lineup for the foreseeable future. His next challenge will be a tough away game against Nottingham Forest, where he will look to build on his impressive form.
For Newcastle, Livramento’s emergence as a top-class right-back is a positive sign, not just for this season, but for the future. His solid defensive performances, combined with his growing confidence on the ball, make him one of the most exciting young defenders in the league. Newcastle’s decision to invest heavily in him looks more and more justified with each passing game.
As Livramento continues to develop, he could become a key part of Newcastle’s future. His ability to handle tough challenges, like his excellent work against Martinelli, shows that he is ready for the big stage. With Eddie Howe’s trust in him and the team’s strong form, Livramento is in an ideal environment to further his career and prove that he is one of the best right-backs in the Premier League.
