Manchester City: Donnarumma should ‘thank mum and dad’ for enormous frame, jokes Guardiola

Pep Guardiola says Gianluigi Donnarumma should thank his mum and dad for “making him so big” after reflecting on the brilliant save that helped Manchester City win at Liverpool on Sunday.

Donnarumma pulled off a stunning stop at Anfield to keep out Alexis Mac Allister’s deflected volley deep into injury time as City held on for a 2-1 victory that could yet prove vital as they attempt to hunt down Arsenal in the title race.

The Italy international is one of the tallest goalkeepers in the Premier League at 1.96m (6ft 5 in) and had to use every inch of his giant frame to keep the shot out.

Guardiola was seen saying “what a save” on the touchline and he suggested Donnarumma has inherited attributes that allowed him to push the ball over the bar.

“Live, when I saw the deflection I said goal,” he said prior to tomorrow night’s home game with Fulham. “Sometimes when you are lucky and mum and dad make you so big and so huge, you can make that save. I think you can make that save because he’s so big, or you have incredible pace and energy in your jumping. Really good.”

Khusanov’s English improving but not yet Shakespeare-like…

Abdukodir Khusanov had to come off against Liverpool due to concussion protocols.

The Uzbekistan international has been impressive in recent weeks as City have had to navigate a defensive crisis with the likes of John Stones, Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias all absent.

Command of the English language had been a problem for Khusanov in his early days in Manchester but Guardiola says he is improving.

“I admit he doesn’t speak like William Shakespeare but he is getting better and getting better,” added Guardiola. “He understands what we want and every time it is getting better and better. He is so intelligent. He always takes good decisions.”

Dias may return for the visit of the Cottagers as City look to move within three points of Premier League leaders Arsenal, who take on Brentford on Thursday.

“I understand how nice it is to [talk about points gaps] three [points], four [points]…this kind of stuff,” said Guardiola. “That is okay but that is not winning titles or in the latter stages to try to be close to win the titles.

“The distance is not huge but considering how Arsenal is doing, six points is a lot. Next game against a team like [Fulham] who every years is getting better and better, so we will see.”

Manchester City’s next six league games