You could make a strong case for many players to be the ‘most important’ in Eddie Howe’s system. Captain Bruno Guimaraes being the heart and soul of the side, whereas Sandro Tonali offers technical brilliance and unparalleled stamina.
But the fullback pairing of Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento are certainly up there in terms of importance. When both were absent due to injury earlier this campaign, their absence was sorely felt, and we looked a shadow of the team we know we can be without their defensive and creative output.
Both graduates of Chelsea’s Cobham academy, the pair have become fully-fledged England internationals since becoming starters under Howe, and it’s more than just on the pitch that the pair have fantastic chemistry.
Speaking to Sky Sports in a new interview, Hall and Livramento comment on both each other’s skills and strengths, their World Cup ambitions, as well as thoughts on summer signings Malick Thiaw and Nick Woltemade.
Key differences between the two
Over the last two years, Hall and Livramento have cemented themselves as one of the best all-round full back pairings in the Premier League, receiving praise for both their attacking and defensive capabilities.
Speaking in a Sky Sports feature, the pair discussed each other’s game and revealed what one has that the other lacks:
Hall on Livramento: “He’s very fast. On the pitch I’m not slow, but yeah you’re quick. I’m decent speed but he’s very quick.
“I’d say he’s probably more capable of doing it (running) throughout the whole game, and I think that’s something you’ve got on me for sure. Defensively as well. One v one, (that’s) something that I admire.”
Livramento on Hall: “He’s technical, he finds it easy to manipulate the ball, but he’s also smart with the way he plays: he’ll invert, but then he’ll also like going forward, making some weird runs that people don’t want to track and he’ll end up in their box.”
“We’re different but we kind of want to do the same things. We both want to get forward, and we both want to defend really well as well.”
World Cup hopes
In the last few years, we’ve seen the likes of Nick Pope, Callum Wilson and Anthony Gordon all be called up to the England squad for major tournaments.
And Hall and Livramento, alongside Dan Burn, are in strong positions to continue representing the Toon in the Three Lions squad, something which both men would relish doing.
Livramento: “I mean, it’s in the summer, but it’s still in the back of my mind. It’s a big thing, it’s what you grow up and your family talks about, it would be a massive thing to be in the squad.”
“But it’s important that it keeps in the back of the mind for now. There’s a lot more important things for both of us to focus on right now. I’ve only been back playing for the last week, so just looking forward to playing well for Newcastle and moving up the Premier League table.”
Hall: “It would mean everything. Look I’d just be saying the same as what he said really. It’s probably the best tournament in the world and it’s something that everyone will be watching. It’s that one time when everyone comes together and supports that one time, and to be part of that one team at a major tournament and to hopefully do well would be unbelievable.”
“It’s something I sort of have my aspirations to be in and be involved, but like you say, it’s a long time away now and so just keep doing what we’re doing now.”
“Unbelievable” Thiaw and Woltemade praised
Out of all our summer signings we made, the German duo of Thiaw and Woltemade have certainly endeared themselves the most to not only the fans, but their new teammates as well.
Both Bruno Guimaraes and Eddie Howe have lavished praise on the pairing, and now Hall and Livramento have kind words to share on the centre back and striker.
Livramento on Thiaw: “He is unbelievable to be honest. I think it’s not easy to come into a new league and play as much as he has, and as well as he has. He’s commanding, he’s strong, he’s great technically so he’s been a great addition to the squad.”
Hall on Woltemade: “I try not to go near him to be honest, he stays in the middle, I stay on the left. He’s different to what I’ve seen him play at the Euros for the U-21s before, and he’s a lot different to what I’m expecting to be. Obviously with the presence he has, but his footwork and dribbling in tight spaces is unbelievable.
“And then he’s shown he can score all different types of goals with the goal at the weekend. Obviously the composure is unreal. So it’s good to have them both and they’ve had really, really good starts with us.”
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