Rio Ferdinand has heaped praise on Fabinho for his performance in Liverpool’s goalless draw with Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.
The Brazilian was trusted as a make-shift centre-back in the absence of the suspended Virgil van Dijk and the injured Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez.
Just as he did against Brighton earlier in the season, the summer signing looking comfortable in an unfamiliar role to once again showcase the flexibility he gives Jurgen Klopp.
He was also at hand to produce a potentially game-defining tackle when he snuffed out a great opportunity for Robert Lewandowski in the six-yard box.
Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand said: “I thought he was fantastic.”
“I think for any player to come into the backline in such a big game – all eyes on him – especially having to replace the talisman, the best player in Virgil van Dijk, he did an admirable job.”
SEE MORE:
Jurgen Klopp explains injury setback ahead of Manchester United clash
He added: “I thought every question asked of him he answered well, in the right way. He was aggressive when he needed to be.”
“These kind of players are invaluable to a team; someone who can fill in, in variable positions – he can play right back, centre-half now, centre midfield. He scores goals and he’s having a great impact on this team. Very, very positive.”
Fabinho is set to return to his holding midfield role when Liverpool travel to face Manchester United at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.
Having endured a slow start to life on Merseyside, the former Monaco man is beginning to assert himself as one of the most accomplished and influential figures in Klopp’s setup.