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How many The Reds selections can you accommodate inside your lineup for this round?

The Merseyside club have secured two consecutive victories , featuring a sizzling striker in their French frontman going into a fixture with Wolverhampton Wanderers who are heading towards an abysmal Premier League seasons on record.

If you've retained a portion of your Africa Cup of Nations wildcards and have the budget to upgrade by replacing the unavailable Manchester United's playmaker, consequently Liverpool options ought to be the primary focus.

This weekly selection is constructed based on latest FPL prices to fit within a 100 million pound cap, as if using a Free Hit chip.

What Was the Performance of Our Recent Selection?

Skipper Erling Haaland (32 points) and the in-form pair of Bournemouth's forward (10 points) plus Hugo Ekitike propelled the squad to a solid 82 points – with a bonus a 10-point cameo from Fulham's defender from the replacements.

This Week's Fantasy Premier League Selection for Matchday 18

Goalkeeper & Defenders

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

The North London side's backline experienced a brief dip after an injury to Gabriel, but they have recorded two clean sheets in their past four and have nine so far before half the season played.

The Emirates Stadium outfit have conceded in all but three home games campaign. The strikes they conceded were scored by Erling Haaland, a wondrous strike from Tottenham's forward 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 three-pronged from the Arsenal backline.

As well as being the strongest defence in FPL, recording shutouts in the majority of their fixtures, they take on a Roberto De Zerbi's side that has drawn a blank in their past two games.

The South Coast club have scored just 9 strikes from eight fixtures away from home.

Timber remains a solid pick each gameweek , with more offensive potential now he is the full-back role.

Hincapie has collected defensive contribution points over his last four appearances, featuring two clean sheets.

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

I'd pick half a dozen Liverpool assets this week if the rules permitted.

Gary O'Neil's team were shut out for the tenth occasion so far during Saturday's two-nil defeat at Molineux to the Bees.

They have only managed 9 strikes all season, with only a couple on the road. That makes this a very secure shutout opportunity possible.

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

Even with Leeds United's improved goalscoring upturn – including the performances of their striker – we're selecting a Stadium of Light shutout at home.

This would secure their third consecutive and Alderete becoming an outstanding low-cost defensive pick. You can field him confidently across many fixtures, due to his potential for 'defcon' returns.

Midfielders

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

The English midfielder is expected to take on a bigger role at Manchester United in the next few games, due to their Portuguese maestro out injured.

Over the past three games, United boast the greatest xG across the Premier League by a significant margin – 8.78 versus the next best Leeds United's 5.68.

They welcome a Newcastle team who have struggled away from home – with just a single victory from seven attempts.

The former Chelsea man is likely to inherit many of Fernandes' creative responsibilities, notably from dead-ball situations, and might operate behind the striker.

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

The German playmaker is due a significant score and a fixture at Anfield versus the struggling Wolves representing a perfect opportunity for that to happen.

He has posted points in three out of his last four fixtures – a pair of assists and one defensive contribution display.

In that period he's made 10 chances, the most of any his teammates, while his expected goals totals 0.88.

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

With 30 points over two matches, the midfielder's hot streak cannot be overlooked.

He is Aston Villa's talisman, capable of scoring a strike with minimal room inside the area.

A fixture to Stamford Bridge might seem a challenging assignment, but Villa have emerged victorious at that ground in two of the past three seasons.

Forwards

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

Because of his fixture, a lack of competition for a starting spot, and having scored five goals in three games, Ekitike gets the double-points role this week.

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

It is unthinkable to omitting the Norwegian goal machine, however with him having a more difficult fixture on the road this week, we are opting to look elsewhere for the armband.

Jarrod Bowen, West Ham United, £7.6m