Captain Hugo Ekitike and a Three-Pronged Gunners Defence – The FPL Squad for the Round

How many The Reds selections can you squeeze inside your squad in the upcoming gameweek?

Jurgen Klopp's side are coming off a pair of triumphs and boast a red-hot forward in Hugo Ekitike preparing for a clash with a struggling Wolves side who are tracking for a historically poor Premier League seasons in history.

For managers who held onto a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations free transfers , with the funds to upgrade by replacing the injured Bruno Fernandes, in that case assets from Anfield options must be the primary focus.

This team of the week is constructed using present Fantasy Premier League costs to fit within a 100 million pound spending limit, simulating you were playing a one-week wildcard.

How Did Our Recent Squad?

Captain Erling Haaland (32 points) , alongside the hot pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Hugo Ekitike led the team to a handsome total – enhanced by a double-digit performance from Antonee Robinson as a substitute.

Our Fantasy Premier League Ideal Squad for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

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

Arsenal's defence had a slight stumble following an injury to Gabriel, yet they've secured 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 only three fixtures at the Emirates campaign. Those goals came from Erling Haaland, a spectacular strike from Tottenham's forward , plus a late header from Tolu Arokodare.

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

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

They are the strongest defence in the game, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they host a Brighton side that has failed to score in their past two outings.

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

The Dutch defender is a reliable pick each gameweek and has greater goal threat now he is right-back.

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

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

Managers would love six Anfield assets for this fixture if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team failed to score once again this season during Saturday's 2-0 home loss to Brentford.

They have scored just 9 strikes all season, with only a couple on the road. This is one of the safest shutout opportunity available.

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

Despite the Yorkshire club's recent goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – the pick is a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

It would be their third consecutive , with the Paraguayan defender becoming the best value defender option. Managers can start him confidently across many fixtures, due to his potential for 'defcon' returns.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a bigger responsibility for Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, due to their Portuguese maestro suffering an injury.

Over the past three games, United boast the best xG statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 compared to second-best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle United side that has struggled in away matches – managing one win in seven.

The former Chelsea man is likely to inherit a large share of the injured star's playmaking duties, notably from dead-ball situations, and could feature as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is due a major point return and a home match against Wolves presenting the prime scenario for that to happen.

Wirtz has delivered returns in three out of his past four fixtures – two assists and one 'defcon' display.

During that spell he's made 10 chances, the highest of any Liverpool, while his expected goals stands at 0.88.

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

With 30 points in two games, Rogers' form is impossible to ignore.

He's Villa's main goal threat, who can creating a strike from minimal space inside the area.

An away trip to Chelsea might seem a tough proposition, but Villa have won there in two of recent years.

Forwards

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

Because of facing an abysmal Wolves side, having no competition for a starting spot, and having scored five goals in three games, Ekitike earns the captaincy for this round.

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

There's no omitting the Norwegian goal machine, but because he has a tougher away game in this round, I'm willing to bet against him for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m

Gerald Sanford
Gerald Sanford

A digital strategist with over 8 years of experience in tech innovation and content creation, passionate about sharing practical insights.