Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma was pulled away from a heated exchange with a Liverpool fan at full-time, after the Cityzens ran out 3-0 winners at Anfield
Gianluigi Donnarumma is pulled away from a fan
Gianluigi Donnarumma was pulled away from a fan(Image: X)
Gianluigi Donnarumma was dragged away from a heated exchange with a Liverpool supporter near the players' tunnel following the final whistle, after Manchester City secured a commanding 3-0 victory over the Reds on Sunday.
he atmosphere inside Anfield was charged before kick-off, with home fans jeering City players in response to the club's guilty verdict on 114 breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations.
Chants rang out amongst supporters in the lead-up to the match, while others displayed striking banners expressing their sense of being wronged during City's period of dominance in English football and across Europe.
Some directed their anger straight at City players as they departed Anfield's famous pitch at full-time, with goalkeeper Donnarumma becoming embroiled in a fiery confrontation with a home fan while heading towards the tunnel.
A supporter appeared to have grabbed the goalkeeper's attention by branding his club cheats, causing the Italian to emerge back from the tunnel and confront what had been directed at him.
Footage shared on social media captures Donnarumma briefly trading words with the fan concerned, before being pulled away by Manchester City's backroom team and escorted down the tunnel. The incident occurred as City's triumphant afternoon on Merseyside was overshadowed by a tense atmosphere.
Despite Liverpool displaying encouraging form and dominating proceedings for two-thirds of the encounter, Ryan Gravenberch's dismissal at the 62-minute mark completely transformed the contest.
The midfielder was already carrying a caution for apparently treading on Elliot Anderson's foot and bringing him down as the second period commenced, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Approximately 15 minutes later, the Dutchman was heading for an early bath after taking the player rather than the ball when Jeremy Doku surged past him on the break at pace. Erling Haaland opened the scoring for the Cityzens merely three minutes afterwards, with Doku adding a second for the visitors shortly thereafter.
Rayan Cherki put the result beyond doubt for City with roughly 10 minutes remaining, as City overwhelmed the Reds despite supporters' best attempts to disrupt their performance. Nevertheless, pundits throughout the UK couldn't help but question whether Liverpool ought to have been reduced to 10 men, considering the lenient nature of Gravenberch's initial booking.
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Wayne Rooney said: "Well, I think the first yellow card is harsh. I think it's, he's obviously gone for the ball, it's a poor touch by Elliot Anderson, and then he just nicks him, catches him on the top of his foot and he goes down, so it's probably not a yellow card.
"But for me, the second one is. When you've been booked and you're on a yellow card, you leave yourself in a position where you can get a second yellow card sent off, so it's a bit naïve and stupid for that second yellow card."
Ryan Gravenberch speaks with a referee
Ryan Gravenberch was sent off on Sunday(Image: Getty Images)
Presenter Kelly Cates subsequently clarified: "We should say as well, this is not about the force of the challenge, this is about stopping an attack for the opponent, and that's why it's given as a yellow card."
Former Tottenham centre-back Toby Alderweireld, who was also working as a pundit, further elaborated: "Yeah, that's for sure, because I think Gravenberch thought he could get first to the ball, but Doku is so sharp, and then he came in first and then made a little foul, but again, he stops a good, promising attack, and that's why he got a yellow card."
Liverpool now face the better part of a week before they can attempt to reverse their fortunes in England's premier division, with their next fixture an away encounter at Brentford on Saturday, October 17.
Andoni Iraola will initially, though, turn his attention to a Champions League fixture against LASK on Wednesday, October 14, as they pursue success in continental competition.