Skipper Hugo Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Arsenal Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round

What number of The Reds players might you fit inside your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs and boast a sizzling forward in their French frontman going into a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are heading towards one of the worst Premier League campaigns on record.

If you've kept some of your AFCON wildcards , with the cash to reinvest following the injury to the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool picks ought to be your top priority.

This team of the week is constructed according to present FPL costs to stay under a £100m spending limit, simulating using a Free Hit.

How Did Our Recent Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the in-form pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the squad to a solid score – enhanced by a double-digit cameo from Fulham's defender off the bench.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper and Defenders

David Raya, the Gunners, goalkeeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).

The North London side's defence experienced a brief dip following an injury to Gabriel, yet they've recorded two shutouts recently and have 9 to their name with not even the campaign's midpoint played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward and a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

This week features a three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.

Not only are they the top defence in the game, 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.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 goals from eight matches on the road.

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

Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love half a dozen Liverpool players this week if possible.

Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time so far during Saturday's two-nil home loss to the Bees.

They have only managed 9 strikes all season, with only two on the road. This is as safe a clean sheet prospect available.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout at home.

That would mark a third in a row , with Alderete becoming a prime low-cost defensive pick. Managers can select him regularly in most games, due to his regular 'defcon' points.

Midfield

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

Mount will likely assume a bigger role for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team registered the greatest xG across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle side that has been poor in away matches – with just a single victory from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man may inherit a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly on set-pieces, and could play in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is due a major point return and a home match versus the struggling Wolves being an ideal opportunity for that to happen.

He has delivered returns across four recent fixtures – two assists and one defensive contribution display.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the most of any his teammates, and his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points in two games, Rogers' hot streak demands attention.

He's Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to producing a goal with half a yard of room in the box.

A fixture to Chelsea may appear a difficult assignment, the Birmingham club have won at that ground in two of recent years.

Strikers

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for his place, and having scored five goals over three matches, Ekitike earns the captaincy this week.

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

One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to look elsewhere for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m