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 lineup for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched two consecutive victories , with a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with a struggling Wolves side currently tracking for one of the worst Premier League campaigns ever.

Should you have retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , with the funds to spend following the injury to the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool options should be the main consideration.

This weekly selection is chosen according to current Fantasy Premier League costs to comply with a 100 million pound cap, as if activating a one-week wildcard.

What Was the Performance of Our Recent Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) , combined with the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike guided the team to a respectable 82 points – enhanced by a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defence

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

The North London side's defence experienced a slight stumble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, yet they've kept two clean sheets recently , boasting 9 so far with less than half the season played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of matches at home campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple selection from the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the best defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in more than half of their matches, they host a Brighton team who have not found the net in their last two outings.

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

Timber remains a reliable choice each gameweek , with greater goal threat since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has collected defensive contribution points over his last four starts, including a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love six Anfield players for this fixture if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the tenth occasion in 17 games in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

They have scored just 9 goals all season, with only a couple on the road. That makes this as safe a clean sheet bet imaginable.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's recent offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

This would secure a third in a row and the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as a prime budget defender option. Managers can field him with assurance in most games, due to his regular defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount should play a key role for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

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

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

The former Chelsea man may take over many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly on set-pieces, and might feature behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a significant score and a home match versus Wolves being an ideal opportunity for it.

He has registered attacking returns across his last four fixtures – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution display.

Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the highest of any Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88.

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

With 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' form cannot be overlooked.

He's Aston Villa's key attacker, who can creating a strike with the smallest space in the box.

An away trip to Chelsea could be viewed as a difficult proposition, but Villa have emerged victorious there on two occasions in the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Due to his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, coupled with bagged five goals in three games, the French striker receives the captain's armband this week.

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

One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a tougher fixture on the road this week, the choice is to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m

Maria Jackson
Maria Jackson

A seasoned traveler and tech enthusiast sharing unique perspectives and actionable insights from global explorations.