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How many The Reds selections are you able to squeeze in your squad for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off a pair of triumphs and boast a in-form attacker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are heading towards an abysmal top-flight campaigns on record.

Should you have held onto some of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , and possess the funds to upgrade by replacing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool picks ought to be your top priority.

This weekly selection is assembled according to present FPL prices to fit within a 100 million pound cap, as if activating a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Team?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike guided the team to a handsome 82 points – enhanced by a 10-point cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

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

The North London side's backline suffered a brief dip in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have kept two shutouts recently , boasting nine so far before the campaign's midpoint played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in only three fixtures at the Emirates this season. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Richarlison , plus a surprise 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 Gunners' backline.

As well as being the strongest defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in over 50% of their fixtures, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has failed to score in their last two games.

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

The Dutch defender remains a solid option every week and has more attacking upside operating as the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has collected 'defcon' points in four consecutive 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 the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the tenth occasion so far during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have only managed nine strikes all season, with only two on the road. This is as safe a shutout bet possible.

Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds (H).

Despite Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – I'm backing a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

It would be a third consecutive and Alderete becoming an outstanding low-cost defender option. You can select him regularly in most games, given his potential for 'defcon' returns.

Midfield

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

Mount will likely assume a bigger part at Manchester United in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the greatest expected goals (xG) in the league by a significant margin – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United team that has struggled on the road – managing a single victory in their last seven.

Mount is likely to assume a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, and could play behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is due a significant score and a home match versus the struggling Wolves representing the prime time for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns in three of his past four games – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution display.

In that period his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most among all Liverpool, while his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

With 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's hot streak demands attention.

He's Villa's talisman, with an ability to producing a strike from half a yard of space inside the area.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a difficult proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there in two of the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with scored a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker gets the captaincy for this round.

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

One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a tougher away game this week, we are opting to look elsewhere for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m