Captain Ekitike along with a Triple Arsenal Defence – The FPL Team of the Week

What number of The Reds selections are you able to fit in your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off back-to-back wins and boast a in-form striker in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently heading towards a historically poor Premier League seasons in history.

For managers who retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers and have the funds to upgrade after losing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case Liverpool options must be your top priority.

This weekly selection is assembled according to present FPL valuations to stay under a £100m spending limit, as if using a Free Hit.

What Was the Performance of Our Recent Squad?

Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) , alongside the productive pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the selection to a handsome 82 points – with a bonus a double-digit cameo from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

Our FPL Selection for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

The North London side's defence experienced a minor wobble in the wake of the absence of Gabriel, yet they've kept two shutouts over their last four matches , boasting nine so far with not even the campaign's midpoint played.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in only three fixtures at the Emirates this season. The strikes they conceded came from Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward and a surprise header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a three-pronged from the Gunners' defence.

As well as being the top defence in the game, recording shutouts in more than half of their fixtures, they take on a Brighton team who have failed to score in their last two games.

Brighton have only managed 9 goals from eight fixtures away from home.

Timber is a reliable option every week , possessing increased offensive potential since returning to right-back.

The Ecuadorian has collected defensive contribution points in four consecutive appearances, including two clean sheets.

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

Managers would love six Liverpool players for this fixture if allowed.

Wolves failed to score for the tenth occasion so far in Saturday's two-nil home loss to Brentford.

They have scored just nine strikes this campaign, including two on the road. It represents as safe a clean sheet bet possible.

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

Despite Leeds United's recent goalscoring upturn – and the form of their striker – the pick is a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

That would mark their third in a row , with Alderete establishing himself as the best value defensive pick. You can start him confidently across many fixtures, given his consistent 'defcon' returns.

Midfield

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

Mount should play a key responsibility at Old Trafford in the next few games, following Bruno Fernandes being sidelined.

Recently, United boast the highest 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 United team that has not excelled away from home – with just one win in their last seven.

Mount may inherit a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, potentially feature in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul , with a home match against the struggling Wolves presenting the prime scenario for it.

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

Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, the most of any Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88.

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

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

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

An away trip at Stamford Bridge could be viewed as a difficult assignment, the Birmingham club have emerged victorious at that ground in two of recent years.

Forwards

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

Due to his fixture, a lack of competition for his place, coupled with notched a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker receives the double-points role for this round.

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

There's no omitting the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a more difficult fixture on the road this week, the choice is to pass over him for captaincy.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Lauren Oneill
Lauren Oneill

A passionate gamer and writer, Elara specializes in sharing tips and stories from the gaming world.