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What number of Liverpool selections can you accommodate in your team for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off a pair of triumphs and boast a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike going into a fixture with Wolves that are on course for a historically poor top-flight campaigns ever.

If you've held onto a few of your AFCON wildcards and have the funds to upgrade following the injury to the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool options should be your top priority.

The ideal squad is constructed using current FPL costs to comply with a 100 million pound spending limit, as if activating a Free Hit.

A Look Back at The Previous Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman propelled the squad to a respectable total – enhanced by a double-digit contribution from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

The FPL Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper & Defence

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

The North London side's backline experienced a slight stumble after an injury to Gabriel, however, they've secured two clean sheets in their past four , boasting 9 to their name with not even the campaign's midpoint gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in only three matches at home campaign. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a long-range effort from Tottenham's forward and a unexpected goal from Wolves' attacker.

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

We're opting for a triple-up on the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the strongest defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in more than half of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has not found the net in two consecutive games.

Brighton have a mere nine goals across eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender continues to be a solid option every week and has more goal threat since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has registered defensive contribution points over his last four starts, featuring a pair of shutouts.

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

Managers would love half a dozen Anfield players this week if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team drew another blank for the tenth occasion so far during a recent two-nil home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have only managed nine strikes all season, including a couple on the road. It represents a very secure shutout prospect imaginable.

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

Even with Leeds United's recent offensive form – and the form of their striker – we're selecting a Sunderland clean sheet at home.

That would mark a third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as a prime low-cost defensive pick. You can start him regularly in most games, thanks to his regular 'defcon' points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a significant role at Old Trafford in the next few games, following their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team boast the best expected goals (xG) in the league by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle side who have been poor in away matches – managing a single victory in seven.

Mount may assume many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, especially from dead-ball situations, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves presenting an ideal scenario for it.

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

During that spell he has created 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, while his xG stands at 0.88.

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

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

He's Aston Villa's talisman, capable of scoring a strike with half a yard of space in the box.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge may appear a difficult assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for a starting spot, coupled with bagged five goals in three games, Ekitike gets the double-points role for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to dropping Haaland, however because he has a more difficult fixture on the road this week, we are opting to look elsewhere for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m