Southampton star Tino Livramento set to miss rest of 2022 after devastating ACL injury

Southampton teenage defender Tino Livramento is set to miss the rest of 2022 after suffering a major injury to his anterior cruciate ligament.

Livramento, signed by Saints from Chelsea last summer, was forced off during Ralph Hasenhuttl's side's 2-2 Premier League draw away at Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday with a knee injury. Initial scans have now shown that Livramento has suffered a significant injury to his ACL that is likely to keep him out for the rest of the calendar year, with an early prognosis being a lay-off of between eight and nine months.

That would rule him out of the rest of the season, most of next season and any outside chances of playing in the World Cup later this year.

The England Under-21s international suffered the injury following a challenge with Brighton midfielder Enock Mwepu in the first half of the four-goal game. Following the injury, Livramento went down and required oxygen before being stretchered off inside the AMEX Stadium pitch.

Livramento has been a key player for Saints in his debut season in senior football. The 19-year-old full-back has made 32 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring once in England's top-flight this term.

The defender has also earned his first five caps for England’s under-21s this season. While the defender has played for England 30 times across all youth levels, the teenager is also eligible to play for both Scotland and Portugal at international level.

Speaking after Sunday's draw, Saints boss Hasenhuttl said that it was a serious concern of theirs. However, he has backed the former Chelsea ace to come back from the injury even stronger.

"It's not good looking. It's a pity to say that this is serious," Hasenhuttl said on Sunday. "We don't know