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How many Liverpool selections might you fit inside your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club have notched a pair of triumphs and boast a red-hot striker in their French frontman going into a clash with Wolves that are tracking for a historically poor top-flight seasons on record.

For managers who kept some of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers , and possess the cash to upgrade after losing the injured Manchester United's playmaker, consequently Liverpool options ought to be the main consideration.

This team of the week is constructed using present FPL valuations to fit within a £100m budget, simulating using a Free Hit chip.

What Was the Performance of Last Week's Squad?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a massive haul) , alongside the in-form duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Hugo Ekitike guided the squad to a solid total – enhanced by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

The FPL Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

Arsenal's defence had a slight stumble in the wake of an injury to Gabriel, but they have kept two shutouts recently , with nine already with less than the campaign's midpoint gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in only three fixtures at the Emirates this season. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous effort from Richarlison , plus a unexpected goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a triple selection from the Gunners' backline.

They are the top defensive unit in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they take on a Brighton team who have failed to score in two consecutive matches.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 goals across eight matches on the road.

Timber continues to be a steady choice every week , possessing more attacking upside now he is right-back.

Hincapie has earned defensive contribution points in four consecutive appearances, including two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool players this week if allowed.

Wolves drew another blank for the 10th time this season in Saturday's 2-0 defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have a paltry 9 goals in total, with only a couple away from home. It represents as safe a shutout bet imaginable.

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

Even with Leeds United's better goalscoring upturn – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Sunderland clean sheet at home.

It would be their third in a row , with Alderete is cementing himself as a prime value defensive pick. Managers can start him confidently in most games, given his potential for 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a bigger role at Manchester United in the next few games, following their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team boast the best xG statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle United side who have not excelled in away matches – with just one win in seven.

The former Chelsea man may assume a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, particularly from dead-ball situations, and might play as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is poised for a significant score and a fixture at Anfield against Wolves being the prime scenario for it.

Wirtz has posted points in three of four recent fixtures – two assists plus a defensive contribution display.

During that spell he's made 10 chances, a team-high among all Liverpool, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

After recording 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's form demands attention.

He is Villa's key attacker, with an ability to producing a strike from half a yard of space in the box.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge might seem a tough assignment, but Villa have won at that ground in two of recent years.

Strikers

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

Given facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with scored five goals over three matches, the French striker gets the double-points role for this round.

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

One cannot consider omitting Haaland, however with him having a tougher fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to pass over him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m