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How many The Reds players are you able to fit in your lineup this week?

The Merseyside club have secured a pair of triumphs and boast a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are heading towards one of the worst top-flight campaigns ever.

For managers who retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers and have the funds to spend by replacing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, in that case Liverpool picks must be your top priority.

The weekly selection is chosen according to latest Fantasy Premier League valuations to stay under a 100 million pound budget, mirroring using a one-week wildcard.

How Did Our Recent Squad?

Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) and the hot duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman guided the selection to a solid total – supplemented by a double-digit cameo from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's backline experienced a brief dip in the wake of the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two shutouts in their past four , with nine to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home this season. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Richarlison , plus a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.

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

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

They are the strongest defence in FPL, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have not found the net in their last two matches.

Brighton have a mere 9 strikes from eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender continues to be a reliable option every week , with increased attacking upside since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has registered defensive contribution points in his past four starts, which included two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love six Liverpool players for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion this season in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have a paltry 9 strikes this campaign, with only a couple away from home. It represents a very secure clean sheet bet possible.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's better offensive form – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.

It would be their third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as an outstanding low-cost defensive pick. Managers can start him confidently across many fixtures, given his potential for 'defcon' points.

Midfielders

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

Mount is expected to take on a key part for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Over the past three games, United have generated the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds' 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle United team who have not excelled away from home – with just one win from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man could well inherit many of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, potentially operate in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is poised for a big haul and a home match against the struggling Wolves presenting the prime opportunity for it.

He has delivered returns in three out of his last four games – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' display.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, the most among all Liverpool, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's form demands attention.

He's Villa's key attacker, with an ability to producing a strike with the smallest room in the box.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge may appear a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, and having scored five goals in three games, the French striker receives the captain's armband for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to benching the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a more difficult away game this week, we are opting to bet against him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m