Football: Sterling booed by own fans after winning Liverpool award

Liverpool's Raheem Sterling, second left ,walks off the pitch after the end the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Liverpool. Photo / AP.

Raheem Sterling received a mixed reception at Liverpool's awards night on Tuesday at the Echo Arena when he was named as the club's young player of the year.

Just hours after it was revealed he told Brendan Rodgers he wanted to quit Anfield, the 20-year-old was in the spotlight again as he picked up the award at the club's annual awards ceremony in the city centre.

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 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.

Last night 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.

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.

-DAILY MAIL