Marouane Fellaini Links to Liverpool Reportedly Dismissed in Latest Rumours

Speculation linking Liverpool with a move for Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini is reportedly wide of the mark. 

Rumours emerged on Sunday from L'Equipe (h/t Sport Witness) suggesting the Reds were ready to offer a three-year deal to the Belgium international at the end of the season. Fellaini's contract at Old Trafford is set to expire in the summer.

However, according to James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, there is no truth to the speculation that Liverpool want to secure their rivals' midfielder.

"Aside from the fact that Fellaini has played for Liverpool's two biggest rivals, it's hard to think of a midfielder less suited to Klopp's 'full-throttle' brand of football." Pearce said. "The fact is there's more chance of the Reds re-signing Christian Poulsen than swooping for Fellaini."

As noted in the report, the last player to move directly between the Manchester and Merseyside rivals was Phil Chisnall in 1964. "Chisnall's place in the history books isn't under threat," Pearce said.

Per Sport Witness, the links between Fellaini and Liverpool emerged from a usually reliable source:

Still, the reports were enough to raise plenty of eyebrows, as Fellaini's attributes as a footballer don't seem to align well with the type of football Liverpool have played under the guidance of manager Jurgen Klopp.

When pushed forward, Fellaini can be a nuisance to defenders. His physicality means he rarely loses physical battles, while his ability to bring the ball down on his chest in different situations makes him difficult to mark.

Michael Regan/Getty Images

Still, Liverpool rarely utilise that type of football, with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane forming one of the most fluid attacks in European football this season. And even in midfield, the relentless way in which the Reds press opponents wouldn't be tailored to Fellaini's game.

Kristof Terreur of Het Laatste Nieuws said that with Fellaini's contract set to expire in a couple of months, speculation like this is natural:

Although United boss Jose Mourinho has used Fellaini frequently in the past in some vital encounters, the midfielder's five-year stay at Old Trafford appears to be close to coming to an end.

The Red Devils have a number of options in central midfield ahead of the former Everton man, with Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Ander Herrera shining as a trio on Saturday in the 3-2 win over Manchester City. Scott McTominay has also established himself as a member of the first-team squad, too.

Should Fellaini depart there will likely be a number of clubs ready to offer him the chance of a fresh challenge. Liverpool surely won't be one.