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

The Merseyside club have secured back-to-back wins and boast a sizzling attacker in their French frontman preparing for a clash with Wolves currently tracking for one of the worst top-flight campaigns on record.

Should you have held onto a few of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the budget to upgrade by replacing the sidelined Bruno Fernandes, consequently assets from Anfield picks must be the main consideration.

This team of the week is chosen using current FPL prices to comply with a £100m spending limit, simulating you were playing a Free Hit.

A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (32 points) and the hot duo of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike guided the team to a handsome 82 points – enhanced by a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

Our Fantasy Premier League Selection for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper and Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence experienced a brief dip after an injury to Gabriel, however, they've kept two shutouts in their past four , with nine already with not even the campaign's midpoint completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in all but three matches at home campaign. Those goals were scored by Erling Haaland, a long-range strike from Tottenham's forward and a surprise goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple-up from the Gunners' defence.

They are the strongest defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they take on a Brighton side that has drawn a blank in their past two matches.

Brighton have only managed nine strikes in eight matches on the road.

Timber is a reliable pick each gameweek , possessing greater attacking upside now he is right-back.

Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points over his last four appearances, including two clean sheets.

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

One could select half a dozen Liverpool players this week if allowed.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out once again so far during a recent 2-0 defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have scored just nine strikes all season, including a couple on the road. This is as safe a clean sheet opportunity available.

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

Regardless of the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – and the form of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Stadium of Light shutout on home soil.

It would be their third consecutive and Alderete becoming the best budget defender option. You can field him confidently across many fixtures, given his potential for defensive contribution points.

Midfield

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

Mount is expected to take on a significant part for Old Trafford in the next few games, due to Bruno Fernandes out injured.

In their last three matches, United registered the highest expected goals (xG) in the league by over three goals – 8.78 against the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United side who have not excelled away from home – with just one win in their last seven.

Mount may inherit a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably on set-pieces, and might play behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is on the verge of a big haul and a home match against the struggling Wolves being the prime time for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns across his past four fixtures – 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 stands at 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's current form demands attention.

He is Villa's talisman, who can producing a goal with the smallest space in the box.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge might seem a difficult proposition, but Villa have won there on two occasions in recent years.

Forwards

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

Because of his fixture, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with scored a five-goal haul in three games, Ekitike earns the captaincy for this round.

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

One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tougher fixture on the road in this round, I'm willing to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m