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What number of The Reds selections are you able to squeeze inside your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs and boast a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a encounter with Wolves that are tracking for one of the worst Premier League campaigns ever.

For managers who kept some of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers and have the funds to reinvest by replacing the injured Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield picks ought to be the primary focus.

The ideal squad is assembled according to latest FPL prices to stay under a £100m cap, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Squad?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) , alongside the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a respectable total – enhanced by a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

This Week's FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

Arsenal's backline had a slight stumble after the absence of Gabriel, but they have kept two shutouts recently , boasting 9 already before half the season completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a triple selection from the Arsenal backline.

Not only are they the top defence statistically, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Brighton team that has not found the net in their last two games.

Brighton have scored just 9 strikes in eight matches on the road.

Timber continues to be a reliable option each gameweek and has increased attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love six Liverpool assets for this fixture if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the 10th time this season during a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

They have only managed 9 strikes all season, including a couple away from home. It represents a very secure shutout opportunity imaginable.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

This would secure their third in a row and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as the best budget defensive pick. Managers can start him confidently in most games, thanks to his potential for defensive contribution points.

Midfielders

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

Mount should play a bigger role for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 against second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle United team that has been poor on the road – managing a single victory in seven.

The former Chelsea man is likely to take over a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, potentially play behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a significant score , with a home match against Wolves being a perfect opportunity for it.

He has posted points in three of his past four fixtures – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

In that period he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any his teammates, and his xG totals 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's current form demands attention.

He's Aston Villa's key attacker, who can creating a strike with the smallest room inside the area.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Because of his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, and having scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike gets the double-points role for this round.

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

One cannot consider omitting Haaland, although because he has a more difficult away game this week, we are opting to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m