Raheem Sterling received a mixed reception at Liverpool’s end-of-season awards ceremony when he collected the young player of the year prize to a combination of boos, heckling and some applause.

The 20-year-old has been embroiled in a contract dispute with Liverpool for much of the season and is expected to confirm in a meeting with club officials on Friday that he wishes to leave Anfield this summer. He has rejected Liverpool’s offer of a new five-year contract worth £100,000 a week as he attempts to force a transfer, with Manchester City among the clubs hoping to capitalise on the impasse.

Sterling was initially applauded into the awards night at the city’s Echo Arena when he was introduced to an audience, which included paying supporters, alongside Philippe Coutinho, who received the Players’ Player of the Year award from the outgoing captain, Steven Gerrard.

However, the reception for the England international Sterling deteriorated when he went on stage to accept his accolade. He started his acceptance speech with: “I’d just like to say thank you to all my team-mates,” before he was interrupted by shouts of “Stay Raheem”. There were audible boos from some of the 3,000 fans assembled at the rear of the venue as the winger left the stage and more jeers moments later when his name was mentioned in a video montage. There was also applause for Sterling, however, as he returned to his seat.

Gerrard was presented with an outstanding achievement award before his departure for LA Galaxy while Brendan Rodgers, on stage to give Coutinho the goal of the season award for his long-range effort against Southampton, admitted Liverpool had endured a “trying” campaign.

The Liverpool manager 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. The players need a rest but the club will continue to work hard to improve the squad and next year provides another great opportunity for us like last season.”