SOUTHAMPTON fear Tino Livramento could be out for the rest of 2022 with a serious knee injury.
The England under-21 starlet, 19, damaged his anterior cruciate ligament after twisting his knee in a challenge with Enock Mwepu during Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Brighton.
Initial scans confirmed the specifics of the problem but just how long he will be sidelined for will become clear when the swelling on his knee subsides.
Yet he is expected to be out for up to NINE MONTHS in what is a hammer blow to both the player and Saints.
Livramento is well-liked by England boss Gareth Southgate.
And while the Qatar World Cup would likely have come too early in his development, the whizkid will almost certainly miss the tournament anyway through injury.
READ MORE SPORT STORIES
De Bruyne takes on Modric in huge Champions League semi-final clash
Man City v Real Madrid – boost: Get Citizens at 25/1 or Real at 100/1 to win
The right-back has enjoyed a sensational first season in the Premier League after joining Southampton for £5million from Chelsea.
The Blues have a buy-back clause of around £38m which is understood to kick in from the summer of 2023.
Livramento has made 32 appearances for Ralph Hasenhuttl’s young Saints side, scoring one goal.
But his attention now turns to recovering from the first major injury of his professional career.
Most read in Football
KOP DROPPED 
Liverpool blow as Anfield ruled OUT of hosting any games at Euro 2028
Haaland posed in Arsenal kit as a kid as Gunners fans joke 'he's coming home'
Pogba 'leaves Man Utd WhatsApp group and tells team-mates he's off'
Mahrez wanted by FIVE European giants including Chelsea as AC Milan join race
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Livramento went down in the 32nd minute of last weekend's clash with Brighton clutching his left knee after an innocuous tangle with Mwepu.
The former Blues ace immediately signalled over to the bench as he screamed in pain.
The defender required six minutes of treatment on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher.
Read More on The Sun
Nuclear WW3 is a ‘REAL DANGER’ and UK ‘legitimate’ target, warns Putin chief
Mrs Hinch fans share 5p hack to repel spiders – it keeps them out the house
Livramento covered his grimacing face with his hands as he left the field and was given oxygen by medics.
Immediately after the game, boss Hasenhuttl confirmed the injury looked "very, very serious'.
Source: Read Full Article