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What number of Liverpool assets might you accommodate inside your team for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have secured two consecutive victories and boast a red-hot forward in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolves that are on course for one of the worst Premier League seasons ever.

For managers who retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the budget to reinvest after losing the injured Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool players ought to be your top priority.

This weekly selection is assembled based on latest Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a 100 million pound budget, as if activating a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) , combined with the hot duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a handsome score – enhanced by a double-digit cameo from Fulham's defender off the bench.

This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Keeper & Defence

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

The North London side's backline experienced a brief dip after the absence of Gabriel, but they have secured two shutouts in their past four and have 9 to their name with less than half the season played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

We're opting for a triple-up on the Arsenal defence.

They are the top defence in FPL, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have not found the net in two consecutive games.

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

The Dutch defender is a solid option every week , with more goal threat now he is right-back.

Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points in four consecutive starts, which included two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love half a dozen Liverpool assets for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Wolves drew another blank for the tenth occasion so far during Saturday's two-nil home loss to Brentford.

They have a paltry nine strikes this campaign, including two away from home. That makes this a very secure shutout bet imaginable.

Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).

Even with the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Stadium of Light clean sheet on home soil.

This would secure their third in a row and Alderete establishing himself as a prime value defensive pick. Managers can field him confidently in most games, due to his potential for defensive contribution returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount is expected to take on a significant responsibility for Old Trafford in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team registered the highest xG across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United team who have struggled in away matches – managing one win in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man is likely to take over many of Fernandes' playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, potentially feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is poised for a big haul and a home match versus Wolves being an ideal time for it.

He has posted points in three of his past four games – two assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

During that spell he's made 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, and his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

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

He's Aston Villa's talisman, with an ability to scoring a strike with minimal room inside the area.

A fixture at Chelsea may appear a tough assignment, but Villa have won there twice during the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, and having scored five goals in three games, the French striker gets the captain's armband this week.

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

It is unthinkable to benching the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a more difficult away game in this round, the choice is to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m