Raheem Sterling named Liverpool young player of the year BUT BOOED

Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling was booed and jeered by supporters at the club's annual awards after bagging the player of the year gong.

Sterling has indicated his desire to force his way out of Anfield in the summer having rejected Liverpool's offer of a five-year contract worth £100,000-a-week.

The 20-year-old won Liverpool's young player of the year award and was initially given lukewarm applause as he made his way on to the stage at the Echo Arena.

But during his acceptance speech a number of supporters shouted and booed. 

Raheem Sterling was named as Liverpool's young player of the year at their awards ceremony at the Echo Arena on Tuesday

The 20-year-old was booed and jeered by sections of the crowd as he collected his young player of the year award

'I'd like to say a big thank you to all my team-mates,' Sterling said, before he made his way back to his table and fans also subsequently jeered when his name was announced as one of the nominees for other awards.

There were also cries of 'sign that contract Raheem' and 'please stay Raheem' as he arrived at the arena in Liverpool. 

But the chances of those fans getting their way looks increasingly unlikely. Manchester City are the overwhelming favourites to land him and they believe a bid of around £40million would seal the transfer.  

Sterling at Liverpool's training ground at Melwood preparing to board the team's bus to the Echo Arena

The 20-year-old arrived at the club's Melwood training headquarters in the late afternoon ahead of Tuesday's awards night

The 20-year-old boarded the same bus as the rest of the team on Tuesday evening at Liverpool's Melwood headquarters headed to the Echo Arena for the annual glitzy ceremony. 

Sterling was seen arriving at the training ground in his white Range Rover in the afternoon and then boarding the executive bus wearing a smart shirt and trousers. 

The young forward then arrived at the Echo Arena with Paige Milian, who he has been dating, to a subdued reception with a few shouts of 'stay Raheem' and 'sign that contract'. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard stopped to sign a few autographs for supporters as well before making his way into the arena with the rest of the team shortly before 7.30pm BST.

On Monday it was revealed that the 20-year-old told manager Brendan Rodgers he wants to leave the club as the stand-off over a new contract at Anfield continues.

Sterling's contract saga has overshadowed his on-pitch performances in recent months as he refuses to put pen to paper on a new deal with two years remaining on his current contract. 

Sterling boards the team bus to the city centre (left) and poses upon arriving at the Echo Arena with Paige Milian for the ceremony (right)

Sterling arrives at the Echo Arena for the awards shortly before being named as Liverpool's young player of the year

The Liverpool team bus sets off for the Echo Arena from their Melwood training base for the annual awards ceremony

Mario Balotelli (left) with a mo-hawk haircut arriving at the awards while Steven Gerrard participates in one of his final acts as captain (right)

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers arrives at the Echo Arena with his girlfriend Charlotte Hind

In April he have an interview to the BBC in which he publicly revealed that he rejected a new contract offer from Liverpool and his hesitation to commit to the club has led to frustration from the fans.

Liverpool's awards night this year is taking place at the Echo Arena on the dock next to the River Mersey. The club will announce their player of the year among other awards in the ceremony that will be attended by the first team, ladies side, academy players and legends.

The ceremony will be one of Gerrard's last acts as Liverpool captain as he prepares to leave the club to join LA Galaxy. 

Mario Balotelli was also seen arriving at the Echo Arena with a mo-hawk haircut while Brendan Rodgers was all smiles when he arrived at the awards with Charlotte Hind.