Pep Guardiola hopes for Seydou Keita stay

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola has said that he wants Seydou Keita to stay at the club for "as long as possible".

The Malian midfielder, who scored in Barca's 3-1 win over Sporting Gijon on Saturday night, has been linked with a move to Liverpool.

"He never plays poorly," Guardiola told reporters. "He does his best whenever I need him.

"He makes my job easier. I hope he can stay in this house as long as possible."

Barca host Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday.