Brendan Rodgers has pinned responsibility for Raheem Sterling’s contract controversy firmly on Aidy Ward by urging Liverpool supporters not to abuse the winger at Stoke City as “he is being led by the representative”.

Sterling remains in the Liverpool manager’s plans for the final game of the season at the Britannia Stadium on Sunday , despite wishing to leave the club and becoming embroiled in another week of adverse publicity.

Liverpool cancelled a meeting scheduled with Ward for Friday, when Sterling’s desire for a transfer was expected to be confirmed, after the player’s agent allegedly told the London Evening Standard his client would not sign a new contract at Anfield even for £900,000 a week.

Rodgers followed the club’s stance by reiterating he expects the 20-year-old to see out the final two years of his £35,000-a-week deal should no extension be signed this summer.

“It is pretty clear where it’s at,” he said of the contract stand-off. “He has two years left and I expect him to honour it.”

He also insisted Fenway Sports Group, Liverpool’s owner, would not be coerced into a sale, as was the case with Luis Suárez in 2013. “The owners have shown their strength in their time here,” he said. “They will show that power and strength again.”

With Sterling’s intentions angering supporters and relations with the club deteriorating, the winger faces a hostile reception from the away section if selected against Stoke. However, Rodgers, who has seen Manchester United inquire about the England international this week, believes their ire should be directed elsewhere during what is also Steven Gerrard’s 710th and final appearance for Liverpool.

“My message to the supporters would be: ‘Look, this is a young boy who in my time as manager has given the football club everything,’” he said.

“He was thrust into the team at 17 years of age. In the following period he has been exceptional for me. He has had dips in form and performances but only because his standards are so high. He’s a young man who has obviously passed on his career to other people and, unfortunately, whether people perceive it as right or wrong, he is being led by the representative. But the young boy I see on a daily basis and who I work with is still the same boy who wants to learn and I think the supporters will just continue to show what they always do, which is wonderful support for every player in the Liverpool shirt.”

Rodgers claimed a hostile reception for Sterling would not influence his selection at Stoke and that the winger had been unaffected by this week’s controversy, albeit with the caveat his plans could change late on. He said: “I think with Raheem his character is unquestioned. He is really strong mentally but he’s also a human being as well and a very young one at that. There’s no doubt these type of things can affect players but what I know of Raheem is that he’s a strong boy who is continuing to work hard. It hasn’t affected him in terms of trainingbut of course I will always gauge that up until the very last minute.”

Arsenal and Manchester City are among the clubs monitoring developments. Arsène Wenger said on Friday he would not be put off pursuing a player by the issues surrounding Sterling. “I’m not sure it is the player who causes the problem,” Arsenal’s manager said. City’s Manuel Pellegrini described Sterling as “a very important player” who all elite clubs would want.

Rodgers will be under scrutiny once the season is over with a review into what he described as a campaign “full of distractions” scheduled with FSG’s president, Mike Gordon. FSG wants a thorough investigation into where the season went wrong for Liverpool, including the poor return on last summer’s £117m investment on new players, but Rodgers insists he and the owners remain in agreement over the long-term strategy for the club.

“There has probably been a lot more made of the review than what it actually is,” he said. “I’m constantly reviewing with the owners. It is very clear in terms of how the model works here. That doesn’t change. Everyone here is aligned to that. For us it is really about analysing this year in terms of all the plans, all the changes that took place last year, review that, how can we be better equipped to move forward and challenge. That will be the review.”

Asked if he felt assured by FSG that he would still be Liverpool manager next season, Rodgers replied: “Yes, 150%.”