🔗 Share this article

What number of The Reds players can you squeeze into your team this week?

The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories , with a sizzling forward in their French frontman preparing for a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are on course for an abysmal top-flight seasons ever.

Should you have retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers and have the budget to upgrade after losing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, in that case Liverpool players should be the primary focus.

This ideal squad is assembled according to current Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a £100m budget, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.

A Look Back at Our Recent Selection?

Captain Erling Haaland (32 points) and the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike led the selection to a respectable 82 points – supplemented by a 10-point contribution from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

The North London side's backline had a minor wobble after an injury to their Brazilian defender, yet they've secured two shutouts over their last four matches and have nine to their name with less than the campaign's midpoint played.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three matches at home campaign. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a three-pronged on the Arsenal backline.

Not only are they the top defensive unit in the game, with a clean sheet in over 50% of their fixtures, they face a Brighton side who have drawn a blank in their past two outings.

Brighton have a mere 9 goals across eight away games.

The Dutch defender continues to be a steady choice each gameweek , with more attacking upside since returning to the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has collected defensive contribution points in his past four starts, which included two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool players this week if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out once again in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

They have a paltry 9 strikes all season, including two on the road. This is one of the safest clean sheet prospect possible.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's recent offensive form – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout at home.

This would secure their third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender becoming an outstanding value defensive pick. You can select him regularly across many fixtures, due to his potential for 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount will likely assume a key part at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes out injured.

In their last three matches, United registered the greatest expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle side that has not excelled away from home – managing one win in seven.

Mount could well assume many of the injured star's playmaking duties, particularly from dead-ball situations, potentially operate as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is due a significant score and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves being the prime opportunity for it.

He has registered attacking returns in three of his past four fixtures – two assists and one defensive contribution display.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, while his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's form cannot be overlooked.

He is Aston Villa's key attacker, who can producing a strike with minimal space in the box.

A fixture at Chelsea could be viewed as a difficult proposition, the Birmingham club have won at that ground twice during the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Given his fixture, having no competition for his place, and having scored a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike receives the captaincy for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to omitting Haaland, although because he has a more difficult away game this week, we are opting to pass over him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m