Captain Ekitike along with a Three-Pronged Arsenal Backline – The FPL Team of the Week

How many The Reds players might you fit in your squad this week?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs and boast a sizzling attacker in their French frontman preparing for a clash with a struggling Wolves side that are on course for one of the worst top-flight seasons ever.

For managers who retained a few of your AFCON wildcards and have the cash to reinvest following the injury to the injured Manchester United's playmaker, consequently Liverpool options should be the primary focus.

The team of the week is constructed based on latest Fantasy Premier League prices to stay under a 100 million pound budget, as if you were playing a Free Hit.

How Did Last Week's Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) , alongside the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike guided the squad to a solid score – enhanced by a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson from the replacements.

The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Keeper & Defenders

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

The North London side's defence experienced a slight stumble after the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two clean sheets over their last four matches and have nine to their name with not even the campaign's midpoint played.

Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a surprise header from Wolves' attacker.

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

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

Not only are they the strongest defence in FPL, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's team that has not found the net in their last two games.

Brighton have scored just nine goals across eight matches on the road.

The Dutch defender is a solid choice every week , possessing greater goal threat since returning to the full-back role.

The Ecuadorian has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love six Liverpool players for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out once again in 17 games in a recent 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

The Midlands side have a paltry nine strikes in total, with only two on the road. That makes this one of the safest shutout opportunity imaginable.

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

Even with the Yorkshire club's better goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

That would mark their third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender is cementing himself as an outstanding value defender option. You can field him with assurance in most games, given his regular 'defcon' points.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a significant part for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

Recently, United registered the highest xG across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 versus second-best Leeds' 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle team who have been poor in away matches – with just one win in their last seven.

Mount is likely to assume a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, and might feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is on the verge of a significant score , with a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves being an ideal time for it.

Wirtz has posted points in three out of his past four games – two assists and one 'defcon' display.

Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, and his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

With 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's hot streak is impossible to ignore.

He's Aston Villa's main goal threat, with an ability to producing a goal with the smallest space in the box.

An away trip to Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a tough proposition, but Villa have won at that ground twice during the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Because of his fixture, having no rivalry for his place, coupled with notched five goals over three matches, the French striker earns the captain's armband this week.

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

It is unthinkable to omitting Haaland, however because he has a tougher away game this week, we are opting to pass over him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m