🔗 Share this article

The quantity of Liverpool players can you squeeze in your lineup this week?

Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off a pair of triumphs , with a sizzling attacker in their French frontman ahead of a encounter with Wolves currently heading towards an abysmal Premier League seasons on record.

For managers who retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the cash to reinvest after losing the injured Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield players must be your top priority.

This team of the week is assembled based on present FPL prices to comply with a 100 million pound cap, as if activating a Free Hit.

How Did Last Week's Selection?

Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) and the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike led the selection to a solid 82 points – enhanced by a 10-point performance from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya, the Gunners, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).

The North London side's defence experienced a brief dip in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, but they have secured two shutouts recently , with 9 to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home campaign. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) & Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), the Gunners – vs Brighton (H).

This week features a triple selection on the Gunners' defence.

They are the top defence statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their fixtures, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have drawn a blank in two consecutive outings.

Brighton have only managed 9 goals across eight matches on the road.

Timber remains a steady option every week , with increased attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has collected 'defcon' points over his last four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).

I'd pick six Liverpool assets for this fixture if allowed.

Wolves failed to score for the tenth occasion in 17 games in a recent 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

They have only managed 9 goals all season, with only two on the road. This is one of the safest clean sheet opportunity available.

Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).

Even with Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

That would mark their third in a row and Alderete establishing himself as an outstanding budget defensive pick. You can select him with assurance in most games, thanks to his regular 'defcon' points.

Midfield

Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle (H).

The English midfielder will likely assume a significant part at Old Trafford in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United side who have been poor on the road – with just one win from seven attempts.

Mount may take over a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, and might operate behind the striker.

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).

The German playmaker is poised for a major point return , with a home match against the struggling Wolves being a perfect scenario for that to happen.

He has registered attacking returns in three out of four recent fixtures – two assists and one 'defcon' display.

Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the highest among all his teammates, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).

With 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' form is impossible to ignore.

He's Villa's talisman, capable of creating a goal from the smallest room in the box.

An away trip to Chelsea may appear a difficult assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there in two of the past three seasons.

Strikers

Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for his place, and having bagged five goals in three games, Ekitike gets the captain's armband for this round.

Erling Haaland, City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).

There's no benching Haaland, however with him having a tougher away game in this round, I'm willing to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m