Joey Barton Causes Controversy Over Thoughts On Jon Flanagan

The thing about Joey Barton is him causing controversy is such a surprise to his character that it would be remiss of us not to report it. On this occasion he's split opinion over Jon Flanagan.

Jon Flanagan's time at Liverpool after the player was recently found guilty of assaulting his girlfriend the club released a statement after his punishment was handed out saying, "We condemn, in the strongest possible terms, the player's actions during the events that took place resulting in this criminal conviction.

"It leaves his own reputation damaged and, through association, he has severely let down the club he had previously represented with distinction...The club has allowed the legal formalities to reach a conclusion before deciding on or implementing any internal disciplinary action. That internal process will now begin."

_{Check out our video of Barton's maddest moments:}

Some believe that could see him sacked by the club. But talking to talkSPORT former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton revealed he thinks that would be wrong, saying:

"Luis Suarez bites another professional player, racially abuses another player, is charged and found guilty and is not sacked. Actually they wore T-shirts for him. Steven Gerrard, club captain, has a fight in Southport, is in court, etc, etc and is not sacked.

"Let's look at Roberto Firmino recently. Three times over the drink-drive limit, driving a car, which is very, very dangerous and he is not sacked, he is supported by the club.

"To sack Jon Flanagan over a mistake would be down to the fact the boy is not in the first team plans and it is a financial-based commodity decision rather than a football decision because if it is a football decision, it is hypocrisy."

Actually Barton has a good point about the way the club have acted over previous misdemeanours, especially when it comes down to Luis Suarez, but his point is that Liverpool should probably continue making mistakes because otherwise it would be hypocritical.

Either he's done enough to be sacked or he hasn't, you can't really compare the incidents. And most people didn't agree with Barton:

Barton made his defence of Flanagan, calling the assault a 'mistake', saying, "Jon is 25 and it is the first mistake he has made. I have never seen Jon in trouble before. He has made a grave error of judgement. He messed up. Does that make him a villain, should we ostracise him from the game? Of course not. We have got to help the kid."

Should Flanagan be sacked?