Joey Barton: 'Liverpool's Mario Balotelli is the biggest myth in world football'

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has described Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli as the "biggest myth in world football".

The Italy international has scored once for the Reds following his £16m move to Anfield from AC Milan in the summer transfer window.

The 24-year-old, who has also had stints at Inter Milan and Manchester City, was bought by Liverpool following Luis Suarez's departure to Barcelona.

During Liverpool's Capital One Cup match against Middlesbrough, which they won 14-13 on penalties, Barton wrote: "Balotelli? He is the biggest myth in World football the fella. Fair play to him he's had everyones trolleys down...

"People now realising just how good Luis Suarez was. I mean how do you replace that quality? Certainly not with MB. He does take a mean peno!"

Barton previously clashed with Balotelli during Man City's Premier League title-winning match against QPR in 2012.