Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Team of the Week
How many The Reds assets can you squeeze in your lineup in the upcoming gameweek?
Jurgen Klopp's side have notched back-to-back wins and boast a in-form forward in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with a struggling Wolves side who are tracking for an abysmal top-flight seasons in history.
Should you have kept a few of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , and possess the cash to upgrade after losing the injured Bruno Fernandes, in that case assets from Anfield picks should be your top priority.
The ideal squad is assembled according to latest FPL prices to fit within a £100m spending limit, simulating using a one-week wildcard.
How Did Last Week's Team?
Captain Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) and the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike led the team to a solid total – with a bonus a 10-point performance from Antonee Robinson off the bench.
This Week's FPL Ideal Squad for Matchday 18
Keeper and Defence
David Raya, Arsenal, keeper, £6m – vs Brighton (H).
Arsenal's backline experienced a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, however, they've secured two clean sheets recently , with 9 so far before half the season completed.
Mikel Arteta's side have let in goals in all but three home games campaign. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward and a unexpected header from Wolves' attacker.
Jurrien Timber (£6.5m) and Piero Hincapie (£5.5m), Arsenal – vs Brighton (H).
We're opting for a triple-up on the Arsenal defence.
Not only are they the top defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have failed to score in their past two outings.
The South Coast club have a mere nine strikes in eight matches on the road.
The Dutch defender continues to be a reliable option every week and has more goal threat since returning to right-back.
The Ecuadorian has earned 'defcon' points in his past four starts, including two clean sheets.
Virgil van Dijk, the Reds, £5.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
I'd pick six Liverpool players for this fixture if allowed.
Wolves were shut out for the tenth occasion so far in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.
They have a paltry 9 goals all season, including a couple on the road. This is a very secure clean sheet opportunity imaginable.
Omar Alderete, Sunderland, £4m – vs Leeds United (H).
Even with Leeds United's better offensive form – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet on home soil.
This would secure a third in a row and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as the best low-cost defender option. Managers can select him with assurance across many fixtures, given his regular defensive contribution points.
Midfielders
Mason Mount, United, £5.9m – vs Newcastle United (H).
The English midfielder should play a bigger role at Manchester United over the coming fixtures, with Bruno Fernandes out injured.
In their last three matches, United have generated the highest xG in the league by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.
They face a Newcastle United team that has not excelled in away matches – with just one win from seven attempts.
The former Chelsea man could well inherit a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and might feature behind the striker.
Florian Wirtz, the Reds, £8.1m – vs Wolves (H).
The German playmaker is on the verge of a significant score and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves presenting a perfect time for that to happen.
He has posted points across his last four games – two assists and one 'defcon' display.
In that period he has created 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, while his expected goals totals 0.88.
Morgan Rogers, Aston Villa, £7.2m – vs Chelsea (A).
Boasting 30 points in two games, the midfielder's current form cannot be overlooked.
He's Aston Villa's talisman, with an ability to scoring a strike with the smallest room in the box.
A fixture at Chelsea may appear a tough assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground twice during the past three seasons.
Forwards
Hugo Ekitike (Captain), Liverpool, £8.9m – vs Wolverhampton Wanderers (H).
Due to facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, coupled with notched a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker receives the double-points role this week.
Erling Haaland, Manchester City, £15.1m – vs Forest (A).
There's no omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but with him having a tricky away game in this round, the choice is to look elsewhere for the armband.
Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m