Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Fabinho after the Brazilian flawlessly filled in at centre-back for Liverpool in their 1-0 Champions League win at Ajax.
Fabinho - naturally a deep-lying midfielder - stepped in for expected long-term absentee Virgil van Dijk and saved a certain goal with a stunning piece of defending to ensure Liverpool's lead in Amsterdam - gained through a Nicolas Tagliafico own goal - was preserved.
Van Dijk could yet miss the rest of the season after suffering anterior cruciate ligament injury, and former United defender Ferdinand insisted Fabinho must form a solid partnership with Joe Gomez if Liverpool are to cope without their star defender.