Gameweek 7 Squad Locked In - Liverpool Crisis, Brighton Takeover & An 18-Point Differential You've Missed

Welcome back, FPL managers. It's a big week - and if you've been caught by the Liverpool injury crisis, you're not alone. But there's good news: there are some outstanding targets ready to fill the void. Here's everything you need to know to lock in your Gameweek 7 squad.

Two Liverpool assets are down in the same gameweek. Here's what you need to know:

Both unknowns are the killer here. If there were a return date, you could hold. There isn't. Free up the funds.

Also worth noting: Marmoush was benched for Man Utd vs Spurs in GW6, and Reece James was absent from the Chelsea lineup. Palmer did start for Chelsea though - and we'll get to how that played out shortly.

Ownership: 32.5% | GW6 Points: 15 | Total Points: 53 | Season: 2G, 3A

De Cuyper is in outrageous form and represents exceptional value at £5.0m. He bagged 15 points in GW6 alone, and his season tally of 53 total points includes two goals, three assists, and four clean sheets. Brighton have only conceded five goals all season - one of the meanest defences in the league.

His expected points for GW7 sit at 10.7 - a remarkable figure for a £5m defender. Brighton face Crystal Palace at home on Sunday, which is a great fixture. Over 120,000 transfers in this week. This is as close to essential as it gets.

Verdict: Essential. If you don't have him, this is your priority.

Ownership: 36.9% | GW6 Points: 6 | Total Points: 53 | Season: 3G, 5A

Groß is the highest-expected-points player in our data for GW7, with a projected 12.3 xP. He's averaging 8.8 points per game this season with three goals and five assists in an incredibly creative Brighton side. At £6.0m, the value is exceptional.

Brighton host Crystal Palace in GW7 - a fixture tailor-made for attacking returns. Over 105,000 transfers in this week. If you're rebuilding after the Liverpool nightmare, Groß is your first midfield call.

Verdict: Essential. Brighton's home fixture against Crystal Palace makes this a must-have.

Ownership: 43.4% | GW6 Points: 9 | Total Points: 38 | Season: 4G, 1A

Chelsea demolished Bournemouth 5-1 in GW6, and Rogers was right in the thick of it with 9 points. He now has four goals and one assist this season - one of the most consistent midfield returners in the game. Chelsea face Everton away in GW7 (fixture rated 4 vs 3) before hosting Spurs in GW8. The fixtures are workable.

Seventy-three thousand transfers in this week reflects his rising popularity. Yes, ownership is high at 43.4%, but the returns have justified every penny.

Verdict: Good. A strong mid-price Chelsea option backed by excellent underlying numbers.

Price: £7.7m | Ownership: 67.4% | GW6 Points: 12 | Total Points: 45 | Season: 5G, 3A

João Pedro is the standout captain choice for Gameweek 7. He is the most reliable returner in the game right now - five goals and three assists this season, averaging nine points per game, and 12 points in GW6 (two goals). Chelsea travel to Everton in GW7, a fixture rated difficulty 3 for Chelsea.

If you don't own him, he's your first transfer priority. If you do own him, he wears the armband - no debate needed.

These are the players flying under the radar who could fire in GW7. Low ownership means massive upside if they deliver.

Ownership: 4.3% | GW6 Points: 8 | Total Points: 40 | Season: 1G, 4 clean sheets

Brighton have only conceded five goals all season. Vuskovic is right in the heart of that defence. Eight points in GW6, 40 total points, and a GW7 expected points projection of 7.3. Nearly 8,000 transfers in this week suggest early movers are already spotting him. At £5.0m with clean sheet potential against Crystal Palace, he is a genuine differential gem.

Ownership: 0.1% | GW6 Points: 18 | Total Points: 20 | Season: 2G, 1A

Eighteen points in a single gameweek. Two goals and an assist. At £4.9m and 0.1% ownership, if Henderson fires against Everton in GW7, the green arrows will be enormous. Chelsea just put five past Bournemouth, and he averaged 10 points per game this season. Nearly 10,000 transfers in this week - people are waking up. This is the wildcard punt of the week.

Ownership: 1.9% | GW6 Points: 9 | Total Points: 18 | Season: 2G

Bruno G. delivered nine points as Arsenal beat Leeds 2-1 in GW6. Two goals this season at just 1.9% ownership. Arsenal face Nottingham Forest in GW7 - a fixture rated 4 for Forest, suggesting it won't be a walk in the park for Arsenal, but Bruno G. is showing he can deliver when opportunities arise. Nearly 11,000 transfers in this week. A low-ownership Arsenal option worth considering if you want green arrows.

If there's one overarching theme from this gameweek, it's this: Brighton assets are dominating every single metric. Their defensive setup has conceded just five goals all season. Their attackers and creative midfielders are racking up goals and assists. And in GW7, they host Crystal Palace at home.

If you're rebuilding after the Liverpool injury crisis, this is where your money goes:

That's your Gameweek 7 prep done. Good luck out there - may your differentials fire and your captain return double digits. We'll see you tomorrow.