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What number of Liverpool assets can you squeeze into your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club are coming off two consecutive victories and boast a sizzling striker in Hugo Ekitike ahead of a clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers currently tracking for one of the worst top-flight seasons on record.

For managers who retained a few of your Africa Cup of Nations transfers and have the budget to spend by replacing the injured Manchester United's playmaker, consequently assets from Anfield players should be the main consideration.

The team of the week is constructed using latest FPL costs to fit within a £100m budget, as if using a one-week wildcard.

What Was the Performance of Our Recent Team?

Captain Erling Haaland (32 points) , alongside the productive pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) and Liverpool's frontman led the selection to a respectable 82 points – enhanced by a double-digit performance from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

The Fantasy Premier League Team of the Week for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defence

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

The North London side's defence suffered a brief dip following the absence of Gabriel, however, they've kept two clean sheets in their past four , boasting 9 so far before half the season gone.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in just a handful of home games this season. Those goals came from a Manchester City superstar, a spectacular 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).

This week features a triple-up on the Gunners' defence.

Not only are they the strongest defence statistically, with a clean sheet in the majority of their matches, they face a Roberto De Zerbi's side who have drawn a blank in their last two games.

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

Timber continues to be a reliable pick each gameweek , with increased attacking upside operating as right-back.

The Ecuadorian has earned defensive contribution points over his last four starts, featuring two clean sheets.

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

One could select half a dozen Anfield players for this fixture if possible.

Wolves were shut out once again so far in Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to Brentford.

They have only managed nine strikes this campaign, with only a couple away from home. This is a very secure clean sheet opportunity imaginable.

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

Even with the Yorkshire club's improved offensive form – including the performances of Dominic Calvert-Lewin – we're selecting a Sunderland shutout on home soil.

It would be a third in a row and the Paraguayan defender becoming an outstanding value defender option. Managers can select him confidently across many fixtures, given his consistent 'defcon' points.

Midfield

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a key part at Old Trafford over the coming fixtures, with their Portuguese maestro being sidelined.

Over the past three games, Erik ten Hag's team have generated the greatest expected goals (xG) statistically by a significant margin – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds' 5.68.

They face a Newcastle United side who have not excelled on the road – with just one win in their last seven.

The former Chelsea man may inherit a large share of the injured star's creative responsibilities, particularly from dead-ball situations, potentially play as an attacking midfielder.

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

Wirtz is due a significant score and a fixture at Anfield versus Wolves being an ideal scenario for that to happen.

Wirtz has posted points in three out of his past four fixtures – a pair of assists plus a 'defcon' performance.

Over that time he's made 10 chances, a team-high of any Liverpool, and his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

Boasting 30 points across two gameweeks, the midfielder's hot streak cannot be overlooked.

He's Aston Villa's key attacker, who can creating a goal with minimal room in the box.

An away trip at Stamford Bridge might seem a tough assignment, but Villa have won at that ground twice during the past three seasons.

Strikers

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

Because of his fixture, having no competition for a starting spot, coupled with bagged a five-goal haul in three games, the French striker earns the captaincy for this round.

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

There's no omitting Haaland, however because he has a more difficult fixture on the road this week, we are opting to look elsewhere for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham, £7.6m