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How many The Reds players might you squeeze in your squad for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories and boast a red-hot attacker in Hugo Ekitike going into a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are heading towards one of the worst top-flight campaigns on record.

For managers who held onto a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards , and possess the budget to upgrade by replacing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, in that case assets from Anfield options must be your top priority.

This weekly selection is constructed according to current Fantasy Premier League prices to fit within a £100m budget, simulating activating a one-week wildcard.

A Look Back at Last Week's Selection?

Skipper Manchester City's striker (a massive haul) , alongside the productive pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) plus Liverpool's frontman guided the selection to a respectable 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

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

Arsenal's backline suffered a minor wobble in the wake of an injury to their Brazilian defender, but they have secured two clean sheets recently , with 9 already with less than the campaign's midpoint gone.

Mikel Arteta's side have conceded in all but three home games this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular effort from Tottenham's forward , plus a unexpected header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

We're opting for a three-pronged from the Gunners' backline.

They are the best defensive unit in the game, recording shutouts in the majority of their matches, they host a Brighton team that has failed to score in two consecutive matches.

Brighton have scored just nine strikes from eight fixtures away from home.

The Dutch defender remains a solid choice each gameweek and has increased offensive potential since returning to the full-back role.

Hincapie has registered 'defcon' points in four consecutive starts, including two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick six Anfield assets this week if possible.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score once again in 17 games during a recent two-nil home loss to the Bees.

The Midlands side have scored just nine goals in total, including two on the road. This is one of the safest clean sheet prospect possible.

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

Regardless of Leeds United's better offensive form – highlighted by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – the pick is a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.

That would mark a third in a row , with Alderete is cementing himself as a prime value defensive pick. You can start him confidently in most games, thanks to his consistent 'defcon' returns.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder should play a bigger part for Manchester United in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

In their last three matches, United registered 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 side that has struggled away from home – with just one win in their last seven.

Mount is likely to take over a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, notably on set-pieces, and could feature in the number 10 role.

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

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

Wirtz has registered attacking returns in three out of four recent fixtures – two assists plus a defensive contribution display.

Over that time his chance creation stands at 10 chances, a team-high among all Liverpool, and his xG is 0.88.

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

With 30 points over two matches, Rogers' current form is impossible to ignore.

He is Aston Villa's main goal threat, capable of creating a goal with half a yard of space in the box.

An away trip at Chelsea may appear a challenging proposition, 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 his fixture, having no rivalry for his place, and having scored five goals in three games, Ekitike receives the double-points role this week.

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

One cannot consider dropping the Norwegian goal machine, however because he has a tougher away game in this round, we are opting to pass over him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m