Poor Jordan Henderson.
The Liverpool vice-captain only joined Twitter earlier this week, and has tweeted just eight times, but is already on the wrong end of a Joey Barton Twitter rant.
It’ll all started with, unsurprisingly, Mario Balotelli. The Liverpool striker ignored his captain last night, taking a penalty against his wishes and it didn’t go down well.
Balotelli scored the penalty, but Steven Gerrard, who was working as a pundit on ITV, criticised his decision to overrule Henderson.
‘For me, rules are rules and codes are codes inside the dressing room’ Gerrard said. ‘When a manager selects a penalty taker, that person should take it’.
Balotelli’s actions and Gerrard’s comments sparked a debate on Twitter, and it wasn’t long before Joey Barton lunged in, two-footed, with his studs showing, as only Joey Barton can.
Barton had a series of tweets on the issue, before moving on to the potential of Henderson being Gerrard’s long-term replacement. It’s safe to say the QPR midfielder doesn’t think it’ll happen, saying Henderson: ‘will not now or will he ever be even in the same stratosphere as Steven Gerrard’.
Can't believe people getting on Balotelli. He is technically better at penalties than Henderson. He pulled rank. Scored. End of.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Baines/Mirallas incident was different mainly because KM missed but also Baines is better taker.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
I've been critical of him at times. But it's not Balotelli's fault people over hyped the reality. Get off his case. He's doing better.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
If Balotelli's on the pitch and its him or Henderson on a penalty to save your life? Who you gonna let take it? #nobrainer
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Surprised Gerrard allowed himself to be drawn into the anti-Balotelli brigade's crusade. He's better than that.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Contrary to some people beliefs Jordan Henderson will not now or will he ever be even in the same stratosphere as Steven Gerrard.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Anyone who thinks he will replace Gerrard, short, medium or long term is deluded. Even Brendon knows he's bullshitting when he says it.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Someone somewhere trying to make Henderson, heir to Gerrard's throne. It will end in tears. He isn't and will never be capable.Not many are
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Wearing armbands. Trying to impersonate legends is admirable but will end in tears because it's not genuine. Henderson should be himself.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
He is great at being himself. Much better than trying to be a Steven Gerrard clone. You can't copy what SG had. Talent.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
Jamie Carragher got involved and admirably defended his former teammate. But, by then, Barton had pretty much ripped Henderson apart. That philosophy course has really helped Barton launch stinging Twitter attacks on newbies.
@Carra23 not sure you have grasped the full concept of what I said about the captaincy. Read it again, thoroughly, then consider your reply.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
@Carra23 He is a good enough player. I think he should just be his own man/captain. Not try to be someone else when it's not genuine.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) February 20, 2015
@Joey7Barton agree but I don't see how you feel he's trying to be someone else? Get your head on Hull now & we can continue this Monday.
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) February 20, 2015
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