Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum believes Fabinho's performance as a makeshift centre-back is a sign they can manage without Virgil Van Dijk.
The Brazil international was man of the match in the 1-0 victory over Ajax in their Champions League opener in Amsterdam, only their third clean sheet in their last 14 matches.
In the last four matches the holding midfielder has dropped into central defence and Liverpool have yet to concede against the likes of Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski and Chelsea's Timo Werner.
Manager Jurgen Klopp will hope Joel Matip has recovered from a minor problem to be fit to face Sheffield United on Saturday night but Fabinho's display suggests he will be a more-than-adequate fall-back option.