Tino Livramento has hailed Kieran Trippier’s “subliminal” impact on his Newcastle United career.
It could have been easy for the 33-year-old to shun Livramento following his Toon arrival a year ago. After all, the Magpies stumped up £35million to sign the youngster, who would inevitably be fighting for the same position.
A lot of Livramento’s opportunities last season came at left-back—an unfamiliar role—but Eddie Howe has placed his trust in the 21-year-old so far this campaign. He has started all three of Newcastle’s Premier League games, with Trippier demoted to the bench.
Ironically, Livramento’s maiden England call-up came after Trippier announced his international retirement. The Toon prodigy is now aiming to take the veteran’s place in the Three Lions setup.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the former Chelsea and Southampton youngster paid tribute to Trippier’s influence on a day-to-day basis. Livramento said: “Getting to know Tripps from the start of last season, he has done loads for me without even realising.
“Someone that you can, obviously (being) in the same position, that I can just look at every day… how he trains. So yeah, subliminally, he has done a lot for me.”
He also relished the opportunity to shine with England having worked under interim boss Lee Carsley in the under-21s setup. Newcastle teammate Anthony Gordon is also a former Carsley protege.
“Obviously, with Lee getting called up to be the seniors’ manager, I’ve seen it as a good opportunity for me because obviously, I knew him,” Livramento added. “He’s obviously a great coach but as a person, he’s someone that’s kind of been there for me.
“He had similar injuries and stuff like that, so when I was going through that part of my career, he helped me out a lot. You know, keeping me in the loop, still texting me, asking how I am.
“It’s hard to come by someone like that in football, I guess. Someone that’s going to be there for you and help you out when you’re in your tough moments.”
