Jamaal Lascelles has been backed by boss Eddie Howe and will remain as Newcastle United skipper.
The under-fire defender was the subject of abuse on social media for his role in the 4-0 collapse to Leicester City on Sunday, including conceding a controversial penalty.
Some fans called for him to be stripped of the captaincy, after Callum Wilson deputised recently.
But Howe, who has lost Federico Fernandez for the festive period with a thigh injury, will stick with his quickest and most physical centre back, and says the whole team have to take responsibility for defending.
Lascelles faces another difficult night against Liverpool, then the visit of Manchester City on Sunday, with a post Christmas game against Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United after that.
Howe said: “I don’t give my team away but he certainly remains the captain and has my full support in that role.
“I thought Jamal contributed to us in a lot of positive aspects in the game. Obviously we were disappointed to concede four goals and everyone connected with the team, forward line or defence has to shoulder that responsibility, not just our back line.
“I thought Jamal was unlucky with the penalty decision. I didn’t think it was a penalty at the time and I don’t think it is a penalty now. I don't understand why the ref didn’t review his decision.”
Howe admits Newcastle have to raise their game, saying the likes of £25m summer signing Joe Willock needs consistent games to get back to his back.
The ex-Arsenal kid scored seven goals in seven games last season to earn his move but has struggled in a more defensive role this term.
On Willock he said: “He is a player I believe in. We have not seen the best of him this season. He is motivated to do well. He will get better and better. He missed a lot of pre-season and it has been stop-start.
“With a consistent body of work beinhind him we will see him hit a high level.”
Howe says Newcastle can’t be daunted by the visit to Anfield, but admitted every player has to over-perform to take any points.
He said: “It is a great opportunity to face the best in the land and see where we are and how we can impose ourselves on them. We have to bring our A-game and everyone has to perform at their top level to get anything.
“We need concentration, game management, structure, set play organisation. Top teams find different ways of winning.
“We have to bring a threat, a challenge to them, and we have players and a way of playing to do that.
“The approach is to win matches and see where it takes us. I am not daunted by them but we have to perform.
“We’ve got a vastly experienced squad in many ways and every player knows that our results are dictated by ourselves and not the opposition.
"Yes, we’re playing some superb teams in the next few weeks, but we have to look at ourselves first and foremost and deliver our game to the very highest level.”
