Captain Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Arsenal Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round

How many The Reds selections can you fit into your lineup for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have secured a pair of triumphs and boast a red-hot striker in their French frontman preparing for a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently on course for one of the worst top-flight seasons ever.

For managers who held onto a few of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the funds to upgrade following the injury to the injured Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield picks ought to be your top priority.

The ideal squad is assembled based on present FPL valuations to stay under a 100 million pound budget, as if using a Free Hit.

How Did Last Week's Team?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , combined with the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike propelled the squad to a handsome total – supplemented by a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Keeper & Defence

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

The North London side's backline had a minor wobble after the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two shutouts in their past four and have nine to their name with not even the campaign's midpoint gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in just a handful of fixtures at the Emirates this season. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Richarlison , plus a surprise header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a three-pronged from the Gunners' defence.

Not only are they the best defence in the game, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have not found the net in their last two games.

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

Timber continues to be a solid option each gameweek , possessing increased goal threat operating as right-back.

Hincapie has earned defensive contribution points over his last four appearances, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select six Anfield assets this week if possible.

Wolves drew another blank for the tenth occasion this season in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just nine strikes all season, including a couple on the road. This is a very secure shutout opportunity available.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's improved goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout at home.

It would be a third in a row and Alderete becoming the best budget defensive pick. Managers can select him regularly in most games, given his consistent defensive contribution points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a bigger part for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

Recently, United registered the best expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by over three goals – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United team who have struggled on the road – with just one win from seven attempts.

Mount may take over a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, and could operate as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is due a significant score , with a home match against the struggling Wolves presenting the prime opportunity for that to happen.

Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three out of four recent fixtures – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' display.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88.

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

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

He's Villa's talisman, capable of producing a goal from minimal room in the box.

An away trip at Chelsea may appear a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have won at that ground on two occasions in the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for his place, and having notched a five-goal haul over three matches, Ekitike gets the captaincy for this round.

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

One cannot consider benching the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a more difficult fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to pass over him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m