Liverpool forward Raheem Sterling was booed by fans at the club’s end-of-season awards ceremony last night.
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The 20-year-old rejected a new contract from the Reds back in January and reports emerged on Monday (May 18) night – subsequently played down by his agent Aidy Ward – that he will tell the club this week he will not sign another deal.
Sterling, who earlier had been presented to the crowd alongside fans’ favourite and Player of the Year Philippe Coutinho, picked up Young Player of the Year award.
However, as he made a short acceptance speech there were shouts of ‘Stay Raheem’ and as he finished speaking and left the stage there were audible boos from some of the 3,000 fans assembled at the rear of the Echo Arena in the city.
When his name was mentioned in a video montage moments later there were more jeers.
The Young Player of the Year award goes to Raheem Sterling #LFCPlayersAwards pic.twitter.com/gsg7rw034H
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 19, 2015
Commenting on Liverpool’s season, which has seen them miss out on Champions League qualification after an early exit in the competition, manager Brendan Rodgers, presenting the Goal of the Season award to Philippe Coutinho for his strike against Southampton, said: “Expectancy from last season was going to be high. Things that have happened, the distractions, you can’t plan for them.
“It has been a difficult, trying season but the players will all be better for it next year.”
At Manchester United’s awards ceremony, goalkeeper David De Gea was named Players’ Player of the Year.
Spaniard De Gea, who is being linked with a summer switch to Real Madrid, said: “I want to say thank you to my team-mates, they have been fantastic this season and I love them. We have a great dressing room and I would like to say thank you very much.”
A very big THANKS everyone! Muchísimas GRACIAS a todos!#mufcpoty pic.twitter.com/7F600FC2dw
— David De Gea (@D_DeGea) May 19, 2015
