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What number of The Reds selections can you accommodate in your team this week?

Jurgen Klopp's side have notched a pair of triumphs , featuring a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike going into a fixture with a struggling Wolves side who are heading towards an abysmal top-flight campaigns ever.

If you've retained a portion of your AFCON wildcards and have the budget to reinvest after losing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, consequently Liverpool players ought to be your top priority.

This weekly selection is constructed according to current Fantasy Premier League costs to fit within a £100m budget, as if activating a Free Hit chip.

How Did Last Week's Team?

Skipper Erling Haaland (a huge score) and the hot pair of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the squad to a respectable 82 points – supplemented by a 10-point performance from Fulham's defender as a substitute.

Our Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 18

Goalkeeper and Defence

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

The North London side's defence experienced a minor wobble following the absence of their Brazilian defender, yet they've recorded two shutouts over their last four matches and have nine so far with not even the campaign's midpoint completed.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in all but three matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded came from a Manchester City superstar, a long-range effort from Richarlison and a late goal from Tolu Arokodare.

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

It's a triple-up on the Gunners' backline.

They are the strongest defence in FPL, with a clean sheet in more than half of their fixtures, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have not found the net in their past two matches.

The South Coast club have only managed 9 strikes across eight fixtures away from home.

The Dutch defender continues to be a steady pick every week , with greater offensive potential operating as right-back.

Hincapie has collected 'defcon' points in four consecutive appearances, which included a pair of shutouts.

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

One could select six Anfield assets this week if the rules permitted.

Wolves failed to score for the tenth occasion in 17 games during a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

The Midlands side have a paltry nine goals all season, including two on the road. It represents as safe a clean sheet bet available.

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

Despite Leeds United's recent goalscoring upturn – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – I'm backing a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

This would secure their third consecutive and the Paraguayan defender establishing himself as a prime budget defensive pick. Managers can select him with assurance in most games, given his potential for 'defcon' returns.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder will likely assume a key role at Old Trafford in the next few games, with Bruno Fernandes suffering an injury.

In their last three matches, Erik ten Hag's team boast the greatest expected goals (xG) in the league by a significant margin – 8.78 against the next best Leeds' 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle United team who have not excelled on the road – with just one win in seven.

Mount could well inherit many of the injured star's playmaking duties, especially from dead-ball situations, and might feature in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a significant score and a home match versus Wolves being an ideal time for it.

He has posted points across his last four fixtures – two assists plus a defensive contribution display.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, the highest among all Liverpool, while his xG totals 0.88.

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

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

He is Villa's key attacker, capable of producing a strike with minimal space in the box.

An away trip at Chelsea could be viewed as a tough assignment, the Birmingham club have won there in two of recent years.

Forwards

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of rivalry for his place, coupled with scored five goals in three games, the French striker receives the captain's armband this week.

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

There's no benching the Norwegian goal machine, although with him having a tricky away game this week, I'm willing to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m