Joey Barton has branded Mario Balotelli 'the biggest myth in world football' after the Liverpool's striker's display in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday. The Italian firebrand replaced Rickie Lambert in the third round clash against Middlesbrough but failed to make an impact before scoring a pair of penalties in the Reds' epic 14-13 shootout victory. Barton went on Twitter to comment on the game with a scathing attack on the 24-year-old, although he did concede that Balotelli could not be faulted for his prowess from the spot. Mario Balotelli failed to set the world alight after coming on in the Capital One Cup clash with Middlesbrough
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Joey Barton has slammed Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli on Twitter
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QPR midfielder labelled Italian the 'biggest myth in world football'
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Liverpool won epic 14-13 penalty shootout against Middlesbrough in Capital One Cup on Tuesday
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Barton and Balotelli have previous after clashing during title decider between QPR and Manchester City in 2012
On that occasion, @placeholder was sent off for violent conduct and subsequently received a 12-match ban and £75,000 fine.