FULL-BACK FURY: TINO LIVRAMENTO & LEWIS HALL'S RETURN SPARKS NEWCASTLE UNBEATEN RUN
The full-back pair is transforming Eddie Howe's attack. Livramento, however, gave a vague response about his long-term future, causing slight worry among the Magpies faithful.
Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento believes Lewis Hall's smart play can throw off opposing defenders.
Although Newcastle United isn't totally convincing yet, Hall and Livramento's return from injuries has really boosted their performance.
They've missed 15 games put together this season, and Eddie Howe’s team has only won six of those.
But the Magpies haven't lost in the four Premier League games where both Hall and Livramento started.
Hall and Livramento really change how Newcastle United plays. Even though Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier are good backups, they just don't compare to the younger guys.
Right now, they might be the best fullbacks in the Premier League. Livramento is probably more in demand, but Hall isn't far behind.
Livramento said Hall's weird moves can really mess with the other team.
Tino Livramento thinks Lewis Hall’s movement can confuse opponents.
The two were interviewed by Sky Sports.
Hall and Livramento both came up through the Chelsea academy, so they've known each other for years, even though they’re only 23 and 21.
During the interview, which was posted on YouTube, they were asked to say something nice about each other’s game.
Hall said he's not as fast as Livramento, and Livramento praised Hall's ability to sneak into open space.
"He's smart with how he plays," Livramento said.
Like, he'll go inside, but then he's also, like, going forward; he'll make some weird runs that people don't want to follow, and then he'll end up in their box.
When asked about his future with Newcastle United, Tino Livramento said, “I’m in a position where I’m trusted by the manager and the players—I feel loved by the fans too.” I love pulling on the black and white shirt.
Tino Livramento, talking to Premier League reporter Andy Sixsmith in December 2025
I get why he's being vague, but it does scare me a bit!
I’d be worried. That sounds pretty unsure; he's not really said he's staying for sure.
Lewis Hall’s “weird” runs have been causing problems all season.
During the recent win over Everton, Hall and Livramento were sometimes Newcastle's most forward players.
Actually, a nice bit of play between them almost set Hall up for an amazing goal, but his shot hit the crossbar at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
They also troubled Manchester City last month, which helped Newcastle win after coming back from injuries.
Hall and Livramento are two of Newcastle’s key players, which makes signing them back in 2023 look like a smart move.
The longer they stay healthy, the better chance Newcastle has of a good season.
EDDIE HOWE CONFIRMS NEWCASTLE LINEUP SHIFTS ARE PART OF A MAJOR FUTURE STRATEGY
Eddie Howe confirms he is picking Newcastle lineups with next season in mind, trialling players like Ramsey and Woltemade early.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe isn’t pretending he’s already thinking about next season. People have been saying Kieran Trippier is close to triggering a payment if he plays more games, so that might influence whether he features again before the season ends. But Howe brushed that off and said he’s making his decisions purely for football reasons.
Talking to reporters at the City Ground about why Anthony Gordon was missing, Howe admitted he’s picking his lineup with the future in mind. Later, in his press conference, he went into more detail about focusing on what comes next at St James’ Park.
"We’re definitely looking ahead," Howe said. "You can see it in some of the choices I’m making with the team. I want to get a look at some players and see how they might grow into the squad."
One of those players is Jacob Ramsey, who came off the bench, set up Harvey Barnes with a great pass, and really changed the game. "I thought Jacob Ramsey was brilliant when he came on against Forest. He really made a difference, and so did Harvey. It’s good to see players taking their chances," Howe said.
He added, "We have to be thinking about the future now and what the team’s going to look like next year. That’s our responsibility at this point."
Before the match, Howe surprised a lot of fans by starting Lewis Hall at right-back, Nick Woltemade in midfield, and pushing Joelinton further forward than usual. Again, Howe explained he wants to see what players can do in different positions.
"It wasn’t some huge change from Brighton; we kept the same shape," Howe said. "But for Nick, this was only one of a few times he’s started in that role for us. He played alongside Will, and they haven’t had much time together either.
"There were positives for Nick, but he wasn’t involved as much as we wanted in the first half. We still need to see his best on the ball. In the second half, though, I thought we got better as a team. We attacked more and looked like a real threat as the match wore on."
MAGPIES EYE £1M BARGAIN TIAGO GABRIEL TO SOLVE GROWING DEFENSIVE INJURY CRISIS
Newcastle are leading the race against Juventus for Tiago Gabriel, the 21-year-old Serie A defensive sensation.
Newcastle United appear to be keeping an eye on Lecce’s young defender Tiago Gabriel as they consider potential options for the summer transfer window.
With Fabian Schar’s contract due to expire at the end of June, the Magpies are preparing for the possibility of his departure. Although an extension is still on the table, Schar has been sidelined since early January because of an ankle injury and doesn't seem close to making a comeback.
At 21, Gabriel has featured 36 times across all competitions this season for Lecce, who are currently four points clear of the Serie A relegation zone. Newcastle’s recruitment team is among those following his development, seemingly interested in exploring a move once the transfer window opens.
Back in December, reports surfaced that both West Ham and Juventus were also tracking Gabriel’s progress. The young defender, who came through Sporting CP’s academy, has had a strong season and will enter the final year of his contract this summer.
Gabriel transferred to Lecce last January for slightly over £1 million, moving from Portuguese club Estrela Amadora. Should he leave this summer, a significantly higher fee might be expected, reflecting his rise in form.
Before joining Estrela Amadora, Gabriel had been part of Setúbal's academy after leaving Sporting in 2020. His performances have earned him regular appearances for Portugal’s Under-21 side, and senior international opportunities may not be far off.
A switch to the Premier League could potentially boost his profile substantially, but he will likely weigh his options with some care.
According to O Jogo, Newcastle continue to monitor his situation keenly as interest around the defender grows.
Regarding Fabian Schar’s future, things remain uncertain even with just weeks left on his current deal. While Kieran Trippier has been publicly confirmed to be leaving upon contract expiration, no similar announcement has come for Schar.
Last week, Howe commented on the defender’s status, noting that no definitive decision has been made yet. He emphasised Schar’s value to the team, pointing out his unique role as a ball-playing defender and his versatility in various defensive setups.
Schar’s influence on the pitch and experience are clearly appreciated, and the club hopes he can regain full fitness before the season concludes. As for any new contract talks, Howe suggested it’s a matter of waiting to see how things unfold.
