"I have known Rhys for a long time and he has had his injury issues, so on and so forth and sometimes I think you can become a bit of a forgotten man," Lewtas told the Liverpool Echo.
"I think the character he's shown, how he's come in and supported the group, I think that sums up what type of kid he is. He's been brilliant with the two centre-backs.
"Brilliant day to day with them and games like today, he headed it, cleared everything, I think he showed the other two (leadership) and he led the defensive line really well.
"So for him, the way he comes down, how he plays, I think that epitomises his attitude. And you can see the shape he is in and the way he is playing. He was fantastic tonight. In the end, I think Rhys is in a really good place."