Want-away Raheem Sterling booed by fans at Liverpool’s awards ceremony
Winger named Young Player of the Year but looks set to be on his way to a bigger club
A mixture of boos and calls for him to stay greeted Liverpool and England forward Raheem Sterling when he received the club’s Young Player of the Year award on Tuesday a day after it emerged he wants a transfer.
The 20-year-old – who joined Liverpool from Queens Park Rangers in 2010 – had stirred up fans’ feelings when it was reported in Tuesday’s papers he was seeking a move away having turned down a new contract worth around £100,000 (HK$1.2 million) a week.
While his agent moved to calm the mood earlier on Tuesday by saying the reports had been “blown somewhat out of proportion” it is still expected that Sterling will tell club manager Brendan Rodgers and chief executive Ian Ayre at a meeting on Friday he wishes to leave.
Speaking at the awards – where Brazil midfielder Philippe Coutinho was named player of the year – Rodgers admitted it had been a “difficult, trying season”.
“A number of distractions that we couldn’t have planned for have made it difficult, but the players have given everything,” added Rodgers, whose own position at the club has been questioned as they missed out not only on silverware but also a Champions League place.
