Raheem Sterling transfer news: Winger booed during Liverpool's end of-season awards amid talk of a move to Manchester City

Some fans shouted 'Stay Raheem' during his acceptance speech but he was booed by others when leaving the stage

Raheem Sterling pictured with his Liverpool Young Player of the Year award (Getty Images)

A section of Liverpool fans voiced their feelings over Raheem Sterling's determination to leave the club after booing the midfielder as he collected the Young Player of the Year award at an end-of-season ceremony.

Sterling has chosen to reject talks over a contract extension at Anfield and instead has set his heart on a move to another club in search of silverware, but as revealed by The Independent, Liverpool have no intentions of selling the 20-year-old this summer and will risk losing him next year for a reduced price.

Earlier in the season, Sterling rejected a new £100,000-a-week long-term contract and gave an unsanctioned interview to the BBC that caused Liverpool no end of grief. With two years left to run on his current deal, the club were fearful that he could choose to run down his contract and leave the club, and their fears are beginning to be realised.

The former QPR academy player, who joined Liverpool in 2010 before making his first-team debut in 2012, was announced as the winner of the Young Player award, and he took to the stage to make a short acceptance speech at the ceremony on Tuesday night.

However, his speech was interrupted by shouts of “Stay Raheem” and as finished speaking there was loud boos from areas of the 3,000 fans attending the ceremony in the Echo Arena.

The boos returned when Sterling’s name was read out during a video montage a few minutes later.

Manchester City seem to be leading the race to sign Sterling should Liverpool decide that cash in on the England international, with the club valuing Sterling at around £30m. Both Chelsea and Arsenal are also said to be monitoring Sterling’s future, although Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with a move for Sterling.

The Anfield faithful have already vented their anger at Sterling’s agent Aidy Ward after they blamed him for trying to force a move to another club, with chants being sung during matches aimed at both Sterling and Ward.

However, he spoke on Tuesday to suggest that the talks due to be held with the club this week have been “blown somewhat out of proportion” and attempted to talk down the prospect of an immediate exit.

"The story has been blown somewhat out of proportion," Ward said in a statement to talkSPORT.

"Raheem and his representatives have a meeting scheduled with Liverpool later this week, and we will take proceedings from there."

Sterling takes to the stage for pick up his award (Getty Images)

In terms of the actual awards night, it was one to remember for Philippe Coutinho, who picked up the Player of the Season, Players’ Player, Individual Performance of the Year and Goal of the Season.

With captain Steven Gerrard set to leave the club at the end of the season after 17 years of service for the club, he was fittingly given the Outstanding Achievement Award, though he was keen to end all the talk about himself as he said he was “bored” of it.

"To be honest I am a little bit bored speaking about myself so I want to pay tribute to Philippe, it's his night tonight. He cleaned up on all the awards and deservedly so,” said Gerrard.

"He is the next big thing for me, I hope he stays here for a long time and helps us win some more trophies."