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The quantity of The Reds selections are you able to squeeze in your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off back-to-back wins and boast a in-form attacker in their French frontman going into a fixture with a struggling Wolves side who are on course for a historically poor top-flight seasons in history.

If you've held onto a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers and have the cash to upgrade by replacing the unavailable Bruno Fernandes, then Liverpool players ought to be the primary focus.

The ideal squad is constructed using current Fantasy Premier League valuations to fit within a 100 million pound cap, simulating activating a Free Hit chip.

How Did The Previous Squad?

Captain Manchester City's striker (32 points) , combined with the productive duo of Antoine Semenyo (10 points) as well as Liverpool's frontman led the team to a respectable total – enhanced by a 10-point contribution from Fulham's defender off the bench.

The Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defenders

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

Arsenal's defence had a slight stumble following the absence of their Brazilian defender, however, they've kept two shutouts over their last four matches and have nine to their name with less than half the season gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have let in goals in just a handful of matches at home this season. The strikes they conceded were scored by a Manchester City superstar, a wondrous effort from Tottenham's forward and a late header from Wolves' attacker.

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

This week features a three-pronged on the Gunners' defence.

Not only are they the strongest defensive unit statistically, recording shutouts in over 50% of their matches, they host a Roberto De Zerbi's team who have drawn a blank in their past two outings.

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

The Dutch defender continues to be a steady choice every week , with more attacking upside operating as the full-back role.

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

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

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

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the tenth occasion in 17 games in a recent two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

The Midlands side have a paltry 9 goals this campaign, including a couple away from home. It represents one of the safest shutout opportunity imaginable.

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

Even with Leeds United's better offensive form – highlighted by their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light clean sheet at home.

That would mark a third in a row , with Alderete establishing himself as an outstanding budget defensive pick. You can field him with assurance across many fixtures, given his regular 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

Mount will likely assume a key part at Old Trafford in the next few games, with their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Over the past three games, United registered the highest expected goals (xG) across the Premier League by a comfortable distance – 8.78 against second-best Leeds' 5.68.

Their opponents are a Newcastle team that has struggled away from home – managing a single victory in seven.

Mount may take over a large share of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, and could operate in the number 10 role.

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

The German playmaker is poised for a significant score and a fixture at Anfield against Wolves presenting an ideal time for it.

He has delivered returns in three out of his past four games – a pair of assists plus a defensive contribution performance.

In that period he's made 10 chances, a team-high among all his teammates, and his xG stands at 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, Rogers' hot streak cannot be overlooked.

He is Aston Villa's talisman, capable of scoring a strike with minimal space in the box.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge may appear a challenging assignment, the Birmingham club have won at that ground on two occasions in recent years.

Strikers

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, a lack of competition for his place, and having scored five goals in three games, the French striker earns the captaincy for this round.

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

It is unthinkable to benching the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a tricky away game this week, the choice is to pass over him with the captain's role.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m