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What number of Liverpool players might you fit inside your lineup for this round?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs and boast a in-form striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a fixture with Wolves currently on course for one of the worst Premier League seasons ever.

Should you have retained some of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers and have the cash to reinvest following the injury to the sidelined Manchester United's playmaker, then Liverpool options should be your top priority.

This weekly selection is assembled based on latest Fantasy Premier League valuations to comply with a 100 million pound spending limit, simulating activating a one-week wildcard.

A Look Back at Our Recent Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) and the in-form duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike propelled the selection to a handsome score – enhanced by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Keeper and Defence

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

The North London side's defence suffered a minor wobble in the wake of the absence of their Brazilian defender, yet they've recorded two clean sheets recently , boasting 9 so far before half the season played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in all but three home games this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a long-range strike from Richarlison , plus a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a three-pronged from the Arsenal defence.

As well as being the top defence statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton side that has not found the net in their past two matches.

The South Coast club have a mere nine strikes from eight away games.

Timber continues to be a steady option each gameweek , possessing greater attacking upside operating as right-back.

The Ecuadorian has earned 'defcon' points over his last four starts, which included two clean sheets.

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

One could select six Liverpool assets for this fixture if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the tenth occasion in 17 games in Saturday's 2-0 home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 goals in total, including two on the road. That makes this as safe a clean sheet bet available.

Omar Alderete, the Black Cats, £4m – vs Leeds (H).

Even with Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout at home.

That would mark their third in a row , with Alderete establishing himself as an outstanding value defender option. Managers can select him with assurance in most games, due to his regular defensive contribution points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a key part for Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Recently, United registered the best expected goals (xG) statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United side who have been poor away from home – managing one win from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man is likely to inherit a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, particularly from dead-ball situations, and could feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a big haul and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves being the prime scenario for it.

Wirtz has delivered returns across his last four games – a pair of assists and one 'defcon' performance.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, the most among all his teammates, and his xG totals 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's form is impossible to ignore.

He is Aston Villa's talisman, with an ability to scoring a goal from the smallest room in the box.

An away trip to Chelsea might seem a tough proposition, but Villa have won at that ground on two occasions in the last three campaigns.

Strikers

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, coupled with notched a five-goal haul over three matches, the French striker gets the double-points role this week.

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

It is unthinkable to omitting Haaland, although with him having a tricky fixture on the road in this round, the choice is to look elsewhere for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m