MusaTino Livramento Faces Crucial Test as England Under-21s Take on the Netherlands
Tonight’s clash against the Netherlands marks a major milestone in Tino Livramento’s international career with England’s under-21s. Newcastle United fans have witnessed Eddie Howe transform the young defender—fresh from recovering from an ACL injury—into a full senior international. It was under-21s manager Lee Carsley who handed Livramento his first senior cap last year in a match against the Republic of Ireland.
Despite Livramento’s impressive performances for Newcastle, helping them secure Carabao Cup glory and Champions League qualification, new permanent manager Thomas Tuchel has yet to give him a chance to shine. Earlier this month, Tuchel suggested that Livramento would benefit more from playing in the under-21s Euros in Slovakia. The young defender played the full 90 minutes in England’s 3-1 victory over Spain, with former Newcastle prospect Elliot Anderson also finding the net.
Anthony Gordon’s Under-21s Success Story
Two years ago, Carsley led England’s under-21s to victory, defeating Spain 1-0 in the final. Newcastle fans will recall Anthony Gordon’s standout performances, earning him Player of the Tournament before his breakout season at St James’ Park. Now, Livramento hopes to use this tournament as a springboard to establish himself in the senior squad, having already secured a key role at Newcastle. England will battle the Netherlands at 5pm today for a place in Saturday’s final.
Lee Carsley’s Coaching Philosophy
Ahead of the semi-final, Carsley shared insights into his coaching approach. “A good coach maximizes the potential of the players they have, rather than trying to turn them into something they’re not,” he said. “We’ve focused on positioning them where they can be most effective, both defensively and in attack. Ideally, you want to enjoy watching your team play—like we did against Spain and in the second half against Germany. We want foreign journalists to praise our players’ technical ability, just as we admire theirs. I believe we’re shifting perceptions about English players.”
Livramento’s Focus Amid Transfer Speculation
Despite recent reports linking him with a £70m move to Manchester City, Livramento remained tight-lipped about his Newcastle future last week. “I’m in regular contact with Eddie Howe, and he’s told me to stay focused on my current performances,” he said. “Having his support means a lot. Right now, my priority is the under-21s. I’m not thinking about anything else—just helping the team succeed.
Musa
