Rio Ferdinand declares Liverpool star "invaluable" after Bayern Munich

Rio Ferdinand hailed "the priceless" Fabinho after the Brazilian demonstration at the heart of Liverpool's defense against Bayern Munich on Tuesday night.

With Virgil van Dijk suspended and Dejan Lovren injured, midfielder Fabinho was replaced by Joel Matip.

Robert Lewandowski, the best scorer in the Champions League this season, was impressed by Monaco's summer signing.

He thwarted the Polish poacher seven minutes after the start of the second period with a fine challenge at the edge of the penalty area, and offered an badured presence.

"I thought it was fantastic," said Ferdinand, expressing the BT Sport .

"I think for any player to enter the bottom line of such a match, all eyes are on him, and that he must especially replace the talisman, the best player of Virgil van Dijk, he did a remarkable job.

"I thought that every question put to him, he answered well, in the right way. He was aggressive when it was necessary.

"This type of player is invaluable for a team. Someone who can hold variable positions – he can play back, center in the middle now. He scores goals and has a big impact on this team. Very, very positive. "

Ferdinand's former colleague in the United States and England, Owen Hargreaves, echoed his sentiments and said he was confident that the Brazilian international would start all major games from now on.

"Good player, very good player," said Hargreaves. "And I think it's improving Liverpool.

"He starts every game now, it really means something.

"He became so important."