BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks believes the rise of Fabinho playing as Liverpool's central defender could mean the end for Dejan Lovren at Anfield.
Fabinho signed for Liverpool from Monaco in the summer for around £40m (image via Getty Images).
Fabinho has received many plaudits since his solid performance in Liverpool's 1-0 win away at Brighton last weekend, and Crooks is one of the many impressed spectators.
Lovren featured heavily for Liverpool in their 2017/18 campaign; which saw them secure another top four finish as well as reaching the Champions League final. The central defender also helped his Croatia side to the World Cup final.
But following the World Cup in Russia, he returned to Melwood with an injury and has struggled to force his way back into Jurgen Klopp's plans since.
Fabinho, predominantly a central defensive midfielder, has been called upon to feature at the heart of Liverpool's defensive line due to injuries to Joe Gomez, Lovren and Joel Matip.
"(Fabinho has become a far more important addition to the Liverpool set-up than I first realised," Crooks said to BBC Sport.
"When there was the slightest threat; Fabinho snuffed it out. His position throughout the match was quite impressive.
"Any more displays like that and Dejan Lovren might have to start looking for new employers."