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How many Liverpool assets can you squeeze in your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club have secured back-to-back wins , featuring a in-form forward in Hugo Ekitike going into a clash with a struggling Wolves side currently heading towards an abysmal Premier League seasons ever.

For managers who retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the funds to spend after losing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool picks must be the primary focus.

The weekly selection is constructed according to latest FPL costs to comply with a 100 million pound cap, simulating using a one-week wildcard.

A Look Back at Our Recent Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the productive duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the selection to a solid score – enhanced by a double-digit contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defence

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

The North London side's backline experienced a brief dip in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, but they have kept two shutouts over their last four matches and have nine so far before the campaign's midpoint completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in all but three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward and a surprise goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

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

They are the best defence statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton team that has drawn a blank in their last two matches.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 goals across eight fixtures away from home.

Timber continues to be a solid choice each gameweek , with more goal threat since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has collected 'defcon' points in his past four starts, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

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

Wolves were shut out for the 10th time so far during Saturday's two-nil home loss to Brentford.

They have scored just nine strikes all season, including two on the road. This is as safe a clean sheet prospect available.

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

Even with Leeds United's recent offensive form – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland clean sheet at home.

It would be their third in a row and Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding value defender option. You can field him confidently in most games, given his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount is expected to take on a bigger part for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, following their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best expected goals (xG) in the league by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have struggled on the road – managing a single victory from seven attempts.

Mount is likely to assume a large share of Fernandes' playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, potentially feature in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is due a major point return , with a home match versus Wolves presenting the prime time for it.

Wirtz has delivered returns across four recent fixtures – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution performance.

In that period he's made 10 chances, the highest among all his teammates, while his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

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

He is Villa's talisman, capable of producing a strike with half a yard of space in the box.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough proposition, the Birmingham club have won there twice during the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Because of his fixture, a lack of rivalry for a starting spot, coupled with notched five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the captaincy this week.

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

There's no benching Haaland, but with him having a tougher away game in this round, we are opting to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m