Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini has again declared he wants James Milner to stay.

Milner, off contract in June, has been linked with today's opponents Liverpool.

Pellegrini said: "The decision of his future is his decision. I said from the beginning that I want him to stay. Everyone in the group wants him to stay.

"He must decide what he wants in his future. I think that an important squad must always have two important players for each position to win something because you have many injuries.

"This happens at Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and in our team. I think that important players must fight for their places in the team.

"Nobody has the guarantee that you will play when you come to a big team and you have high competition. But I think that James has played a lot this year."