Eddie Howe Speech To £32m Newcastle man played on with an injury After Yesterday Match

Indeed, the Newcastle manager started Tino Livramento ahead of Dan Burn, a swap that had been called for increasingly often in recent weeks

Burn has endured a difficult time of things of late, with his lack of pace exposed. That perhaps points to a collective failing given his speed wasn’t too much of an issue last season but, still, it seemed like an easy move to swap the two around.

Livramento, after all, has starred since making a £32m move from Southampton. Of all of last summer’s signings, he’s been the one that stands out during an otherwise difficult season for the club.

That’s not to say he’s perfect, however. Pundit Ally McCoist noted how the England U21 international was left “all over the place” by Bukayo Saka as the Gunners rolled in their third goal of the evening.

Admittedly, a player as good as Saka is capable of such things. Defenders with plenty more experience than that of Livramento have been left in his wake before.

Still, comments from Howe are interesting. He suggested a knock could well have impacted Livramento.

Tino Livramento: Newcastle injury news

Indeed, speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle after the game, Howe said: “Tino’s trained really well this week.

“He’s been excellent. I think he got a knock very early in the game, which maybe disrupted his performance. I just felt we needed his qualities in the team today but, also, we maybe missed Dan’s as well with the two set-plays conceded.”

Tino Livramento: Newcastle must not drop defender

To blame Livramento for Saturday would be foolish. Largely excellent since signing for the club, Howe would be unwise to consider dropping him.

Sticking with Burn throughout a rough patch and then to punish Livramento for one difficult moment against a world class player seems unfair. There’s no suggestion Howe will do that of course but he clearly values Burn, so it will be fascinating to see how the team line up away at Blackburn on Tuesday evening.

Livramento has been excellent this season. He deserves another chance.