Liverpool is top of both the Premier League and the Champions League at the moment but there is still some fine-tuning for Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes to consider in 2025.

As well as the contract decisions to be made on Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool might also need to think about strengthening a couple of positions to further improve its roster. With question marks remaining on Darwin Nunez more than two years after he arrived from Benfica, there has been chatter this week about needing a number nine.

"Nunez has been a talking point from the minute he joined," former Reds winger Jermaine Pennant tells Liverpool.com. "Look, first season I gave him the benefit of the doubt — new style of football, new culture, the Premier League is sometimes hard to catch up to speed.

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"Then you think he will progress, but we keep seeing the same mistakes and the same misses in front of goal. There's only a certain amount of time you can stay patient with that.

"He is a great guy — his work rate, his passion — but he is not giving the numbers back that a number nine should be giving for Liverpool. His tally should be so high because he is getting the chances but not finishing them off.

"It's coming to the realization now that in the third season, it's not going to get any better. People say he is still young and he can kick on but for me, this is the finished article. You either accept he will work hard for the team but won't score goals like Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane used to, but if Liverpool are to continue to challenge, they need a better number nine.

"Diogo Jota is the best finisher at the club but it is always good to have that second presence like a Darwin who can put the ball in the back of the net."

Slot stuck up for Nunez this week when he spoke about the Uruguayan, pointing to his off-the-ball work as an important part of his game. But the Liverpool boss then played Luis Diaz as his number nine against Fulham.

"You can't criticize your own players so he will defend Darwin no matter what," Pennant continued. "But deep down, there will be conversations about what to do with him in the summer.

"If they get a decent offer, take a hit on what they paid and get £50m-£60m ($63m-$76m), I think they should take it and reinvest that on another striker who can be capable of putting the ball in the back of the net.

"Jota can play anywhere up top and that is a great asset but the way that Arne wants to play, a big, strong number nine would suit his style perfectly. I think the only person who stands out is Alexander Isak from Newcastle. He would be fantastic and a dream to have. For me, he's like for like [compared to Nunez] but a lot better in front of goal."

Aside from a number nine, Liverpool might also need to look to sign a left-back in the near future, Pennant believes. Andy Robertson has made several errors this season and was sent off against Fulham.

"I think that's imperative," Pennant said. "They must do that in January. Robertson has been a fantastic servant at the club — one of the best left-backs in Liverpool's history — but everyone's time comes to an end.

"All the legends, there is a point in time when it starts to come to and end. Upstairs is all there but the legs and the body are not in sync. We've seen a lot of mistakes now from Robertson — there's a lot and he's probably the weak link.

"They probably need to address that. I'm not saying get rid of Robertson but get a young, more adaptable player. Antonee Robinson would be ideal — or even Leif Davis for me."