Skipper Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The Fantasy Premier League Squad for the Round

The quantity of The Reds selections can you fit in your lineup in the upcoming gameweek?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched back-to-back wins , featuring a sizzling striker in their French frontman going into a clash with a struggling Wolves side currently tracking for one of the worst top-flight campaigns ever.

For managers who held onto a portion of your AFCON wildcards and have the budget to upgrade following the injury to the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield options ought to be the primary focus.

The weekly selection is constructed based on latest Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a 100 million pound spending limit, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.

How Did Our Recent Team?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , combined with the productive duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the team to a handsome total – supplemented by a double-digit contribution from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

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

Arsenal's backline had a brief dip following an injury to Gabriel, but they have recorded two shutouts in their past four , with nine so far before the campaign's midpoint gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home campaign. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a long-range strike from Richarlison and a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.

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

It's a three-pronged on the Arsenal backline.

Not only are they the best defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in over 50% of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has failed to score in their past two games.

The South Coast club have only managed 9 strikes in eight fixtures away from home.

The Dutch defender is a reliable pick each gameweek , possessing more attacking upside operating as right-back.

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

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

Managers would love six Anfield players this week if allowed.

Wolves failed to score for the 10th time this season during a recent 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 goals this campaign, with only a couple away from home. That makes this as safe a clean sheet bet possible.

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

Even with Leeds United's recent goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

That would mark a third in a row , with Alderete establishing himself as the best value defensive pick. You can field him confidently across many fixtures, due to his potential for defensive contribution points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a bigger responsibility for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

Over the past three games, United registered the highest xG statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds' 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle United team who have been poor in away matches – managing one win in their last seven.

Mount may inherit many of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, and might operate in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a significant score and a home match versus the struggling Wolves presenting the prime scenario for it.

He has delivered returns in three out of his last four games – two assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

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

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

Boasting 30 points in two games, the midfielder's form demands attention.

He's Aston Villa's talisman, who can scoring a strike from the smallest room inside the area.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there on two occasions in the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Because of his fixture, a lack of rivalry for his place, and having bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike earns the double-points role this week.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping the Norwegian goal machine, although because he has a tricky fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to look elsewhere for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m