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What number of The Reds players might you accommodate inside your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

The Merseyside club have secured back-to-back wins and boast a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with a struggling Wolves side that are heading towards one of the worst Premier League campaigns ever.

Should you have kept a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , with the funds to upgrade following the injury to the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool picks should be the primary focus.

The ideal squad is assembled based on current Fantasy Premier League costs to fit within a 100 million pound cap, as if using a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of Our Recent Squad?

Captain Manchester City's striker (a huge score) , alongside the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a handsome score – supplemented by a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender off the bench.

The FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Keeper and Defence

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

Arsenal's defence suffered a brief dip after the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two shutouts recently and have 9 to their name before the campaign's midpoint played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

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

As well as being the top defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have failed to score in two consecutive outings.

Brighton have scored just 9 strikes in eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender continues to be a steady pick each gameweek , with more offensive potential operating as the full-back role.

Hincapie has earned 'defcon' points over his last four starts, including two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick six Liverpool players this week if possible.

Wolves were shut out for the 10th time in 17 games during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just 9 strikes this campaign, including a couple on the road. That makes this as safe a shutout bet imaginable.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

That would mark their third in a row , with Alderete is cementing himself as an outstanding budget defensive pick. You can select him with assurance across many fixtures, given his regular 'defcon' returns.

Midfield

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

Mount will likely assume a key part for Manchester United in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

Recently, United boast the best expected goals (xG) statistically by over three goals – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle team that has been poor away from home – with just a single victory in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man could well inherit many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, potentially play in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is due a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves being an ideal scenario for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns across four recent games – two assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, while his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points in two games, the midfielder's hot streak cannot be overlooked.

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

A fixture at Chelsea could be viewed as a difficult proposition, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Due to his fixture, having no rivalry for his place, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker earns the captain's armband for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to benching the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tougher fixture on the road this week, I'm willing to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m