'Like he's been playing there his whole life' Wijnaldum stunned at Fabinho's centre-back display

Fabinho filled in at centre-back for injured Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool's 1-0 win in Champions League opener against Ajax on Wednesday

Fabinho, usually a deep-lying midfielder, is filling in for Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defence after he suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage in Saturday's Merseyside derby, which finished 2-2.

But Fabinho's performance in Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Ajax in Liverpool's Champions League opener, which included an impressive goal-line clearance, has given Wijnaldum optimism his team-mate can fill the void.

"Fabinho does great as a centre back," said Wijanldum after the win in Amsterdam.

"I think in the games that he's played there we didn't concede goals.

"And also the way how he's playing is like he's [been] playing there his whole life.

"It's great to have a player who can play in different positions. He does it well in all of them he plays, so it's a good thing for the team."