Wednesday 20 May 2015 10:52, UK
Raheem Sterling was jeered at Liverpool's end-of-season awards ceremony on Tuesday as speculation over his future continued.
The England forward is due to hold talks with the club later this week, and Sky sources say he will make it clear he does not intend to sign a new contract.
And some of the estimated 3,000 Liverpool fans at the function made their feelings plain when Sterling took to the stage to accept his Young Player of the Year award.
Amid applause from some, cries of "stay, Raheem!" were followed by boos, and more jeers were audible when his name was mentioned in a video montage moments later.
Brendan Rodgers later addressed the audience and spoke of a season of "distractions", although he did not mention Sterling by name.
He 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."
Several of the club's former players were also in attendance at the ceremony and one, Dietmar Hamann, told Sky Sports News HQ Sterling's contract talks should have been conducted away from the spotlight.
He said: "I don't think these things should be made public because it doesn't look good. There's anger in the city now concerning Raheem Sterling for no need.
"If he decides to leave in the summer and the club gets paid what they want, then wish him all the best, but the way it's been handled has been poor on his behalf and as a club there's not much you can do - put a price on him, and if someone pays it you sell him and get other players in."
And selling Sterling this summer could even benefit Liverpool, according to Jan Molby, who won seven major honours with Liverpool.
He said: "It's not like Luis Suarez - you knew the impact that losing him would have. I'm not convinced if you sell Sterling it would have the same impact on the team, so it might not be a bad time to sell.
"Liverpool are still in transition and maybe the manager could do wth the money."
It is understood Liverpool's position is unchanged and they are not prepared to sell Sterling this summer.
Elsewhere on awards night Philippe Coutinho cleaned up, winning player of the season, players' player, individual performance of the year and goal of the season for a long-range strike at Southampton.
And it was the Brazilian, rather than Sterling, singled out by Steven Gerrard as Liverpool's "next big thing."
The departing captain said: "I want to pay tribute to Philippe, it's his night tonight. He cleaned up on all the awards and deservedly so. He is the next big thing for me, I hope he stays here for a long time and helps us win some more trophies."
