Captain Ekitike along with a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round
How many The Reds players can you accommodate into your lineup this week?
Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off two consecutive victories , featuring a red-hot striker in their French frontman going into a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently heading towards an abysmal Premier League seasons ever.
For managers who kept some of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , and possess the budget to spend following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield picks ought to be the main consideration.
The weekly selection is assembled using latest FPL costs to fit within a 100 million pound budget, mirroring you were playing a Free Hit.
How Did Our Recent Selection?
Skipper Manchester City's striker (a huge score) and the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the team to a solid 82 points – enhanced by a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender as a substitute.
The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18
Goalkeeper & Defenders
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H).
The North London side's backline experienced a slight stumble following the absence of Gabriel, yet they've secured two shutouts over their last four matches , boasting 9 already with not even half the season completed.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home campaign. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range strike from Richarlison , plus a unexpected header 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' defence.
As well as being the top defensive unit statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has not found the net in their last two outings.
Brighton have only managed 9 goals from eight away games.
The Dutch defender remains a steady pick every week , possessing greater offensive potential operating as the full-back role.
Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points over his last four starts, including a pair of shutouts.
Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
One could select six Anfield players this week if possible.
Wolves failed to score once again this season in a recent two-nil home loss to the Bees.
They have a paltry 9 strikes in total, including a couple away from home. That makes this as safe a shutout prospect imaginable.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H).
Even with the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.
This would secure a third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as an outstanding low-cost defender option. Managers can start him confidently in most games, given his potential for defensive contribution returns.
Midfield
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
The English midfielder should play a bigger responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro out injured.
In their last three matches, United registered the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.
Their opponents are a Newcastle side that has been poor away from home – managing one win from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man is likely to inherit many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.
Florian Wirtz, Liverpool, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
Wirtz is on the verge of a significant score , with a home match against the struggling Wolves being the prime scenario for that to happen.
Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three out of four recent fixtures – two assists and one defensive contribution performance.
Over that time he has created 10 chances, the highest of any his teammates, and his expected goals totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Villa, £7.2m – vs the Blues (A).
With 30 points over two matches, Rogers' current form is impossible to ignore.
He is Villa's key attacker, who can scoring a goal with half a yard of space in the box.
A fixture at Stamford Bridge might seem a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there on two occasions in recent years.
Strikers
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having scored five goals in three games, Ekitike receives the captain's armband for this round.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Nottingham Forest (A).
There's no omitting Haaland, although because he has a tricky away game this week, the choice is to pass over him for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m