When first Joe Gomez and then Joel Matip suffered injuries within one December week, the thought began to formulate in the Liverpool No.3’s mind.
Circumstances, the midfielder realised, could soon dictate that Jürgen Klopp would require his services in central defence.
And so it came to pass.
Fabinho started the FA Cup tie at Wolverhampton Wanderers alongside Dejan Lovren in the backline and then, as a result of the latter’s injury in that game, partnered with Virgil van Dijk to record a clean sheet at Brighton and Hove Albion last weekend.
The Brazilian’s assured transition to the role did not happen by accident.