🔗 Share this article

What number of The Reds selections might you fit in your team this week?

The Merseyside club have secured two consecutive victories and boast a in-form forward in their French frontman preparing for a fixture with a struggling Wolves side who are on course for one of the worst Premier League campaigns on record.

If you've retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , and possess the cash to upgrade following the injury to the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool options must be the main consideration.

The ideal squad is constructed based on present FPL prices to stay under a £100m cap, mirroring you were playing a one-week wildcard.

A Look Back at Our Recent Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike guided the selection to a solid total – with a bonus a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

This Week's FPL Selection for Matchday 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

The North London side's backline had a minor wobble following the absence of Gabriel, however, they've secured two clean sheets recently , with 9 already with not even the campaign's midpoint gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of home games this season. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a three-pronged on the Arsenal defence.

Not only are they the best defence statistically, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have drawn a blank in their last two games.

The South Coast club have a mere nine goals from eight matches on the road.

Timber remains a steady pick every week and has greater offensive potential operating as right-back.

The Ecuadorian has collected defensive contribution points in his past four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love half a dozen Liverpool players for this fixture if allowed.

Wolves drew another blank once again so far in a recent two-nil home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have a paltry nine goals all season, with only a couple away from home. This is as safe a shutout bet possible.

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

Even with the Yorkshire club's improved goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.

It would be their third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as a prime value defender option. You can start him confidently in most games, given his potential for 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount will likely assume a significant part for Manchester United in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

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

They face a Newcastle United team that has not excelled on the road – managing one win in their last seven.

Mount is likely to inherit a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, especially from dead-ball situations, and might operate behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is due a significant score , with a home match versus the struggling Wolves presenting an ideal scenario for that to happen.

He has posted points across four recent fixtures – two assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

During that spell he's made 10 chances, the most of any his teammates, and his xG stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points in two games, the midfielder's form is impossible to ignore.

He is Aston Villa's talisman, capable of scoring a goal with the smallest room inside the area.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there in two of the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Because of his fixture, having no rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike earns the captaincy this week.

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

It is unthinkable to omitting Haaland, although with him having a tricky away game in this round, I'm willing to look elsewhere for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m