🔗 Share this article

How many Liverpool assets can you fit into your team for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched back-to-back wins and boast a red-hot forward in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently heading towards an abysmal top-flight seasons ever.

Should you have retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , and possess the cash to reinvest by replacing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool options ought to be the main consideration.

The ideal squad is assembled according to current FPL costs to stay under a 100 million pound budget, mirroring you were playing a one-week wildcard.

A Look Back at Last Week's Squad?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) and the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a handsome score – enhanced by a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).

Arsenal's backline suffered a brief dip after an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two shutouts in their past four , boasting nine already before half the season gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Richarlison and a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.

Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs the Seagulls (H).

This week features a three-pronged from the Gunners' backline.

As well as being the strongest defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they host a Brighton team that has drawn a blank in their last two matches.

The South Coast club have a mere 9 goals across eight away games.

Timber is a reliable choice every week and has more offensive potential now he is right-back.

Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points over his last four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool assets for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the tenth occasion in 17 games during a recent 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

They have a paltry nine strikes in total, with only two away from home. That makes this one of the safest shutout bet possible.

Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).

Even with Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – and the form of their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

It would be their third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as a prime budget defensive pick. You can select him with assurance in most games, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

Mount is expected to take on a significant responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest expected goals (xG) statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle team who have struggled away from home – managing a single victory in seven.

Mount is likely to inherit many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, potentially operate as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is due a major point return , with a home match versus Wolves being an ideal scenario for that to happen.

Wirtz has posted points across four recent games – two assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).

Boasting 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's current form demands attention.

He's Aston Villa's talisman, with an ability to creating a strike with half a yard of space in the box.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a difficult assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground twice during recent years.

Forwards

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, and having notched a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike gets the double-points role for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping Haaland, however with him having a tricky away game this week, the choice is to look elsewhere for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m