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How many Liverpool players are you able to fit in your squad this week?

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 tracking for a historically poor Premier League seasons ever.

For managers who held onto some of your AFCON transfers and have the budget to spend by replacing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, consequently Liverpool picks must be your top priority.

The weekly selection is assembled according to current Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a £100m budget, mirroring activating a one-week wildcard.

How Did The Previous Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , alongside the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike led the selection to a handsome 82 points – enhanced by a double-digit cameo from Antonee Robinson off the bench.

Our FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper & Defenders

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

The North London side's defence suffered a brief dip after an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have kept two shutouts in their past four , boasting nine so far with less than the campaign's midpoint gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in only three home games this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Richarlison , plus a surprise header 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' backline.

Not only are they the best defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in more than half of their matches, they take on a Brighton side that has not found the net in their last two matches.

Brighton have a mere 9 goals across eight fixtures away from home.

Timber is a reliable choice each gameweek , possessing increased attacking upside now he is the full-back role.

Hincapie has registered defensive contribution points in his past four starts, including a pair of shutouts.

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

I'd pick six Liverpool players for this fixture if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the tenth occasion so far during a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just nine strikes this campaign, with only a couple on the road. It represents as safe a shutout bet imaginable.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.

It would be their third in a row , with the Paraguayan defender becoming a prime value defensive pick. You can start him regularly across many fixtures, due to his consistent 'defcon' returns.

Midfield

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

Mount is expected to take on a bigger role for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

Recently, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the highest xG across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle team who have been poor on the road – managing a single victory in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man could well take over a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, and might feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a major point return , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves being the prime opportunity for it.

He has delivered returns in three of his last four games – two assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

During that spell he's made 10 chances, a team-high among all Liverpool, while his xG totals 0.88.

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

With 30 points in two games, Rogers' current form cannot be overlooked.

He's Aston Villa's talisman, capable of creating a strike from half a yard of space inside the area.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a difficult assignment, the Birmingham club have won there twice during the last three campaigns.

Forwards

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

Due to his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, and having notched a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike earns the captaincy for this round.

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

One cannot consider omitting the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tougher away game in this round, we are opting to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m