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How many The Reds players can you squeeze in your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off back-to-back wins , featuring a sizzling forward in Hugo Ekitike going into a fixture with Wolves currently heading towards a historically poor top-flight seasons ever.

Should you have held onto a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers and have the funds to upgrade after losing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, in that case assets from Anfield picks ought to be the main consideration.

The ideal squad is constructed using latest FPL costs to stay under a £100m budget, mirroring you were playing a one-week wildcard.

How Did Last Week's Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the squad to a handsome 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

The North London side's defence experienced a slight stumble following the absence of Gabriel, yet they've kept two clean sheets recently , with 9 already with not even half the season played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three fixtures at the Emirates this season. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Wolves' attacker.

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

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

They are the best defence in the game, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they face a Brighton team who have failed to score in two consecutive outings.

Brighton have a mere nine goals in eight away games.

Timber remains a steady option every week and has greater goal threat operating as right-back.

Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points over his last four starts, which included two clean sheets.

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

One could select six Liverpool assets this week if allowed.

Wolves failed to score for the tenth occasion so far during a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have only managed 9 goals all season, including a couple away from home. That makes this one of the safest shutout bet imaginable.

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

Even with Leeds United's recent goalscoring upturn – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.

This would secure a third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as an outstanding value defender option. You can start him regularly across many fixtures, given his consistent 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a key part for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Over the past three games, United registered the greatest xG statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle side that has struggled away from home – managing one win in seven.

Mount could well assume a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, and could play in the number 10 role.

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

Wirtz is poised for a big haul and a fixture at Anfield against the struggling Wolves presenting a perfect time for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns in three out of his past four fixtures – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution display.

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the most among all Liverpool, and his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

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

He's Villa's key attacker, with an ability to producing a strike with half a yard of space inside the area.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a difficult assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious there in two of recent years.

Forwards

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

Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for a starting spot, coupled with scored a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker gets the double-points role this week.

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

It is unthinkable to omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a tougher away game this week, I'm willing to bet against him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m