Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Gunners Backline – The FPL Squad for the Round

The quantity of The Reds assets might you accommodate inside your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

Jurgen Klopp's side have secured a pair of triumphs , with a red-hot striker in Hugo Ekitike going into a clash with Wolves who are heading towards a historically poor top-flight seasons ever.

Should you have retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , and possess the funds to spend following the injury to the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool options ought to be your top priority.

This team of the week is chosen using latest Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a £100m spending limit, simulating using a Free Hit.

A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?

Captain Erling Haaland (32 points) , combined with the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the team to a respectable score – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

The FPL Selection for Matchday 18

Keeper and Defence

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

The North London side's defence experienced a brief dip in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, yet they've secured two clean sheets over their last four matches and have nine to their name with not even half the season completed.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous effort from Richarlison , plus a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple-up on the Arsenal defence.

As well as being the best defence statistically, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have drawn a blank in their last two outings.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 strikes from eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender continues to be a reliable pick every week and has greater attacking upside operating as right-back.

Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in his past four appearances, which included two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick six Anfield players this week if the rules permitted.

Wolves were shut out for the 10th time this season during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 goals all season, with only two on the road. It represents one of the safest clean sheet bet imaginable.

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

Even with Leeds United's better offensive form – and the form of their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light shutout at home.

That would mark a third in a row , with Alderete becoming the best budget defensive pick. You can start him confidently in most games, due to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a bigger role for Manchester United in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Over the past three games, United boast the greatest xG in the league by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United team that has been poor away from home – managing a single victory in their last seven.

Mount is likely to assume many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, especially on set-pieces, potentially feature behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a significant score , with a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves presenting the prime time for it.

He has registered attacking returns in three of his past four games – two assists plus a defensive contribution display.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, and his xG totals 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' form demands attention.

He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, who can creating a goal with half a yard of room in the box.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground on two occasions in the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no rivalry for a starting spot, and having scored a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker gets the captaincy for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to benching the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a tougher fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m