🔗 Share this article

How many Liverpool selections can you squeeze in your team this week?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs , with a in-form striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers that are heading towards an abysmal Premier League seasons on record.

For managers who retained a few of your AFCON free transfers and have the cash to upgrade after losing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case assets from Anfield options ought to be the main consideration.

This ideal squad is constructed based on latest FPL prices to fit within a 100 million pound budget, simulating activating a Free Hit.

A Look Back at The Previous Selection?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , combined with the productive duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the squad to a solid 82 points – enhanced by a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

Our FPL Selection for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper & Defenders

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

The North London side's backline had a brief dip in the wake of the absence of their Brazilian defender, but they have secured two clean sheets in their past four , with nine so far with not even the campaign's midpoint gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three matches at home this season. Those goals were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a long-range strike from Richarlison and a late goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

We're opting for a triple-up from the Gunners' defence.

They are the best defence statistically, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has drawn a blank in their last two games.

Brighton have only managed 9 goals from eight matches on the road.

Timber remains a steady pick every week , possessing greater offensive potential now he is the full-back role.

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

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

One could select half a dozen Anfield players for this fixture if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out once again so far during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

They have scored just nine strikes all season, including two away from home. It represents a very secure clean sheet bet imaginable.

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

Despite Leeds United's improved offensive form – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light shutout at home.

It would be a third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as the best budget defender option. You can start him regularly across many fixtures, due to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder should play a bigger responsibility at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the best xG statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle side who have struggled on the road – with just a single victory in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man may assume a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and might operate in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is due a major point return , with a fixture at Anfield versus Wolves being a perfect time for that to happen.

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

During that spell his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, and his xG totals 0.88.

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

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

He is Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to producing a goal with the smallest room in the box.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a challenging assignment, but Villa have won there in two of recent years.

Strikers

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

Given his fixture, a lack of rivalry for his place, and having notched a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike earns the captain's armband this week.

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

There's no omitting Haaland, but with him having a tricky fixture on the road this week, we are opting to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m