🔗 Share this article

How many Liverpool assets are you able to fit into your team this week?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs , featuring a red-hot forward in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a encounter with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are tracking for a historically poor Premier League seasons ever.

For managers who kept a portion of your AFCON transfers and have the budget to upgrade following the injury to the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool picks should be the primary focus.

The ideal squad is assembled according to latest Fantasy Premier League costs to stay under a £100m budget, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.

A Look Back at The Previous Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) , alongside the hot pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman propelled the squad to a respectable score – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

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

Keeper & Defenders

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

The North London side's backline had a minor wobble after an injury to their Brazilian defender, yet they've secured two shutouts recently , boasting nine already with not even half the season played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in only three fixtures at the Emirates this season. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Richarlison and a late goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

This week features a triple-up on the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the best defensive unit statistically, with a clean sheet in more than half of their matches, they face a Brighton team who have not found the net in their last two outings.

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

The Dutch defender remains a reliable option each gameweek and has more attacking upside since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has collected defensive contribution points over his last four starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Anfield assets for this fixture if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score for the tenth occasion in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have scored just 9 goals all season, with only a couple away from home. That makes this a very secure clean sheet bet available.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's improved goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland clean sheet at home.

It would be their third in a row and Alderete is cementing himself as the best value defender option. Managers can select him with assurance across many fixtures, thanks to his potential for 'defcon' returns.

Midfield

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

Mount will likely assume a key part for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team boast the highest xG statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United side who have not excelled in away matches – with just a single victory in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man is likely to assume a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, potentially play behind the striker.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a big haul and a home match versus the struggling Wolves being a perfect time for it.

He has registered attacking returns across four recent fixtures – two assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

Over that time he has created 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, while his xG stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's current form is impossible to ignore.

He's Villa's main goal threat, who can producing a strike with the smallest room in the box.

An away trip to Chelsea might seem a difficult proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious there twice during recent years.

Forwards

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

Because of his fixture, a lack of competition for his place, and having scored five goals in three games, the French striker earns the captain's armband this week.

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

One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tougher away game in this round, we are opting to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m