Why Manchester City were so keen to sign Donnarumma was on display late on at Anfield

In Erling Haaland and Gianluigi Donnarumma, Manchester City have two bookends at either end of the pitch that can produce match-winning or match-saving moments. Yesterday Erling Haaland converted a 93rd-minute penalty to seal a 2-1 win for his team over Liverpool at Anfield. At the other end of the pitch, Gianluigi Donnarumma made a crucial save to preserve Manchester City’s lead. In the process, Donnarumma showed exactly why City were so eager to sign him from PSG last summer.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made one of the saves of the season to ensure that Manchester City left Anfield with all three points.

In the 99th minute of yesterday’s match, Liverpool were pushing for an equalizer. They had resorted to pushing Virgil van Dijk forward, and a long ball was pumped forward by Arne Slot’s side. Virgil van Dijk won a header, and the ball fell to Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine international unleashed a powerful strike at goal, which hit Ruben Dias. Max Allister’s deflected strike seemed destined to beat Donnarumma until the Italian international made a stunning save with his right hand to preserve City’s lead. It was one of the saves of the season by Donnarumma. Pep Guardiola’s reaction to Donnarumma’s save said it all. In a match where seizing moments proved to be crucial, Donnarumma’s save was a pivotal moment in a vital win for Manchester City.

Erling Haaland had special praise for Gianluigi Donnarumma and his stunning match-saving save after yesterday’s match. Speaking on that moment, Haaland said: “And look at Gigio with an incredible save from Mac Allister. For me it was out of this world. It shows why he’s the best in the world.”

Manchester City have a goalkeeper who stands up in vital moments which is priceless.

In one moment at Anfield, Gianluigi Donnarumma showed exactly why Manchester City were so keen to seize the opportunity to sign the Italian international from PSG. Donnarumma is arguably the best shot-stopping goalkeeper in world football. That aspect of Donnarumma’s play is crucial. The Italian keeper has made a string of important saves this season, none bigger than last night’s huge save against Liverpool. It was the exact moment that City signed Donnarumma to provide, and he did exactly that at a critical juncture in last night’s match.

What Manchester City lose with the ability to play out from the back with Donnarumma, they gain an elite shot-stopper who can make big saves in big moments. The Italian goalkeeper did exactly that last night, and in one moment at Anfield, Donnarumma showed why Manchester City jumped at the chance to sign him last summer.