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What number of The Reds assets can you fit in your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs , featuring a sizzling attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolves who are heading towards an abysmal Premier League campaigns on record.

If you've kept some of your AFCON wildcards , and possess the cash to spend by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool players should be your top priority.

The ideal squad is constructed according to latest FPL costs to fit within a 100 million pound budget, mirroring using a one-week wildcard.

How Did Last Week's Team?

Captain Erling Haaland (32 points) , alongside the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike led the team to a respectable score – supplemented by a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

The North London side's defence had a slight stumble after an injury to their Brazilian defender, yet they've recorded two shutouts in their past four and have nine so far with less than half the season gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Richarlison and a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a triple-up on the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the top defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have not found the net in their past two matches.

The South Coast club have a mere nine strikes from eight fixtures away from home.

The Dutch defender is a reliable pick each gameweek and has more goal threat operating as the full-back role.

Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points in his past four starts, including two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick six Anfield players this week if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out once again this season during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

They have scored just nine strikes in total, including two away from home. That makes this a very secure clean sheet opportunity imaginable.

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

Even with Leeds United's better offensive form – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

This would secure their third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender becoming a prime value defensive pick. Managers can start him regularly across many fixtures, given his consistent defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a key part for Old Trafford in the next few games, due to Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 compared to the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have not excelled on the road – managing one win from seven attempts.

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

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

The German playmaker is due a major point return and a fixture at Anfield against Wolves being an ideal opportunity for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns across his past four games – two assists and one defensive contribution performance.

In that period he's made 10 chances, a team-high among all Liverpool, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's hot streak cannot be overlooked.

He is Villa's main goal threat, capable of producing a goal from half a yard of room inside the area.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a tough assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for a starting spot, and having scored five goals over three matches, Ekitike earns the double-points role for this round.

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

One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tougher away game this week, I'm willing to bet against him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m