Donnarumma gets Maresca’s backing; Iraola feels bond growing at Anfield | Manchester City

1. Maresca: ‘He’s a strong character’

Enzo Maresca has given his backing to Gianluigi Donnarumma after the goalkeeper’s costly errors in Manchester City’s recent defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.

Donnarumma was at fault for Nicolas Jackson’s game-winning strike at Villa Park on Saturday, the forward’s long-range shot squeezing under the Italian’s body and leading to City’s first league defeat of the season. Against PSG in the Champions League this month, Donnarumma was at fault for Désiré Doué’s and Maghnes Akliouche’s goals as City lost 4-2 against the holders.

“As a football player or manager, when you don’t get results or make some mistakes, it’s normal. It’s a consequence,” Maresca said. “Gigio since we started is doing well. Like any manager or player making some mistakes, it’s part of the season. 

“They [footballers] play so many games and minutes that sometimes it’s impossible not to make mistakes. He’s a strong character. He knows that when he makes a mistake, he doesn’t need us to tell him – sometimes it’s so clear so they recognise this.”

Marc Guéhi has been in uneven form, too. The defender was culpable for Jackon’s opener on Saturday. He also conceded a late penalty in the previous weekend’s 3-2 win against Ipswich, and made an early mistake that led directly to Lamine Yamal scoring for Spain against England in the Nations League last month.

“I am completely happy with Marc,” Maresca said. “The way he reacts is fantastic, he is a top guy. He is one of the captains, he is a leader and I love Marc. Same as Gigio, when they make some mistakes it is recognised.”

Donnarumma will be rested for Brighton’s visit in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Maresca said: “After the Villa game we gave five players three days off to recover the energy: Erling [Haaland], Rúben [Dias], Elliot [Anderson], Gigio and Josko [Gvardiol]. They are all on holiday. Three days off, energy, go, come back with full energy then we go again.”

Geronimo Rulli will again deputise for Donnarumma against Brighton. JJ

2. ‘You have to earn the right to belong,’ says Iraola

Andoni Iraola has claimed he is only at the start of the process of showing he belongs at Liverpool but feels a connection with the Anfield crowd is growing.

The Liverpool head coach was more animated than usual after Sunday’s defeat of in-form Brighton as his team recorded a fourth successive victory and first Premier League home win on his watch. It was a performance that united the team and the crowd, said Iraola, who was tasked with rebuilding that bond when he replaced Arne Slot in the summer.

Liverpool host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup last 16 on Wednesday and Iraola insists their recent improvement is only the start.

“I said it since the first day: you have to earn the right to belong and you only get it with good performances, with wins, and this will take time,” he said. “But I am glad because I felt the other day the supporters helped us a lot and they were enjoying it the same as we were. I think the players had a very likable performance in terms of they gave everything, we were blocking everything, we were tackling, we were fighting, we were winning duels, we were making the runs in behind and those things you want to see and everyone wants to see. I enjoyed it.

“I would say [it is just a] start. Still we need more wins, we need more performances so we need more time.”

Iraola is hopeful Florian Wirtz will be available to face Chelsea despite being forced out of the Brighton win with an ankle problem. Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Muñoz remain doubtful and Iraola said there would be changes with Arsenal visiting in the Premier League on Sunday.

“Against Chelsea, Arsenal, Crystal Palace definitely, we have some games where we have less time to rest than the opposition but you have to adapt. Sometimes it is to your benefit, sometimes it goes against you like this week. You have to be ready for this.” AH