Fabinho has been saluted after he "sacrificed" himself for Liverpool - with Billy Koumetio pinpointed as potentially being the future of the Reds defence.
The Premier League and world champions were without Joe Gomez and Joel Matip for last weekend's top-flight trip to Chelsea, prompting Fabinho to switch to an emergency centre-back role alongside Virgil van Dijk.
The Brazilian excelled in helping the Reds keep a first clean sheet in eight games as they triumphed 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.
With Gomez and Matip still out, Fabinho may have to reprise the role in the Carabao Cup third round clash at League One side Lincoln City on Thursday.
And Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders said: "It shows his character that he is always ready to help the team. Playing at centre-back, he sacrificed himself.
"If you saw the difference between the Leeds game and the Chelsea game, the last game is a big compliment to our last line. The way we defended with the last line, their behaviour and braveness how we always controlled the movements of Timo (Werner) going in behind and how we stopped counter-attacks.
"I always say avoiding goals takes 22 feet and two gloves. It's not just Fabinho stopping the counter-attacks, as a whole team we have to defend.
"But Fabinho was easy choice to be man of the match! Jurgen (Klopp) likes players who can play in different positions.
"Do we want Joe Gomez and Joel Matip back? Yes please! But Fabinho can play a super game there as well, as long as we defend the last line as we did at Chelsea. Otherwise it would be much more difficult for him."
Koumetio, a 17-year-old centre-back, shot to prominence during the pre-season when he featured in friendlies against Stuttgart, Red Bull Salzburg and Blackpool.
The defender is a doubt for the game at Lincoln after sitting out training earlier in the week. But Lijnders is convinced about the player's potential.
"He is a proper talent who needs time," he said. "We want to give him that time, that's the most important decision we have to make.
"He is a very tall centre-back, but has a real strength in the air, not only in set-pieces. If you are a pressing team you have to accept there are a lot of long balls and second balls played (against you).
"You want centre-halves that are good in the air to win the first challenge. Billy is someone who even in the air can put the ball where he wants to put it. That's really good for that age.
"Everybody sees his physicality and how strong he is.
"We like to give him the opportunity to develop with us and help us and become a strong centre-half for the future for Liverpool Football Club."
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