Joey Barton labels Mario Balotelli as 'the biggest myth in world football'

The pair do have previous...

Joey Barton (left) and Mario Balotelli (GETTY IMAGES)

Joey Barton has described Mario Balotelli as "the biggest myth in world football", who will not be able to replace Luis Suarez at Liverpool.

The Queens Park Rangers midfielder and Twitter sage Barton made the comments while watching Balotelli in Liverpool's astonishing penalty victory over Middlesbrough last night, when the Italian striker came on as a late substitute and converted two penalties in the English league record-equalling shoot-out.

"Balotelli? He is the biggest myth in world football the fella. Fair play to him he's had everyone's trolleys down..." Barton tweeted.

He added: "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!"

The pair do have history of course, in a Premier League clash between QPR and Manchester City two years ago they were involved in an altercation.

Balotelli, who has yet to respond, has made five appearances for Liverpool since signing from AC Milan for £16m during the summer.