Why Tino Livramento was a top target for the Toon
Although he only featured in 28 minutes of football last season, Livramento was a priority signing that the club persistently pushed for - and they’ve finally got their man.
The Valentino Livramento saga has finally come to a close as Newcastle have announced the signing of young right-back from Southampton on a five-year contract.
The club and Eddie Howe were keen admirers of the 20-year-old and pushed to strike a deal with Southampton all summer. The accepted offer is reportedly worth an initial £31m, plus a potential £5m extra in performance related add-ons.
He will become Newcastle’s fourth senior signing this summer, after Yankuba Minteh, Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes, taking the club’s total spending to roughly £130m so far this window.
Livramento spent almost all of the 2022/23 campaign recovering from an ACL injury he suffered in April 2022, which restricted him to only 28 minutes of playing time throughout the season, all of which came in the final two games of the season. Despite this, he seriously impressed in the season prior as he burst onto the Premier League scene after his £5m move to Southampton from Chelsea in the summer of 2021.
In said debut season for Southampton, ‘Tino’ exhibited himself as a direct, attacking fullback with an incredible burst of pace and ability to beat his man, often leaving his marker chasing shadows.
There is some speculation over the signing of Livramento, with some claiming he will fill in as the left-back that the club have been rumoured to want this summer, whilst others believe that he will act as an understudy and eventual successor to current right-back Kieran Trippier.
Livramento’s breakout season compared to Trippier’s most recent. (All stats are on average per 90 minutes of playing time).
The Cobham graduate averaged 3.22 Progressive Carries and 2.24 Attempted Take-Ons per 90 throughout that season, showcasing his ability - and desire - to breeze past his marker and storm down the right hand side. His attacking presence was also evident, with 18.0 Touches in, and 2.20 Carries into, the Final Third averaged over the 21/22 Premier League campaign.
Last season, Trippier averaged significantly more Touches in the Final Third than Livramento, but with the Toon’s impressive fourth place finish compared to Southampton’s 15th in 21/22, it is unsurprising that Howe’s side had more dominance in this area of the field.
The former Atletico Madrid man did, however, average less progressive carries, attempted take-ons and carries into the final third.
Despite fighting for the same starting spot next season, the two are fairly different in profile, with Trippier a less direct threat but more technically impressive whereas Livramento excels physically - his frightening turn of pace making him an explosive force on and off the ball.
In addition to his attacking qualities, Tino is very capable defensively, especially in 1v1 situations. His anticipation and intelligent reading of the game enables him to successfully regain possession and create quick turnovers from these scenarios - perfect for a transitional Eddie Howe side.
The newest Toon signing also averaged an impressive 2.20 Tackles and 1.92 Interceptions per 90 in his breakout season with the Saints.
Despite spending a year recovering from injury, it is clear that Livramento is still seen as Trippier’s long term successor and as a signing that will not only improve the squad in the short term, but help to build the core of the future Newcastle United side.