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Comment

All eyes on a certain Scouse midfielder at Ewood Park on Saturday and the Liverpool lip had no intention of hiding in his shell.

The vociferous 6,000 away following were able to drown out the spattering of boos from the Newcastle fans directed toward Joey Barton following his vicious' outburst about sections of the Magpies support.

The 25-year-old was involved in an early feud with Aaron Mokoena and seemed intent on picking a fight with any number of Blackburn players.

His actual footballing skills were well hidden in an opening half in which the other 20 outfield players on show - Stephen Carr was a first half substitute for Abdoulaye Faye - also kept their ability in reserve.

In the second half a trip on David Bentley produced a predictable booking for Barton who then missed a excellent chance to put Newcastle 2-1 up - Brad Friedel in the Rovers goal making three instinctive saves at his feet in the 56th minute.

The Merseysider then began to play football which seemed to concern the Blackburn players enough for them to start meting out some punishment on the former Manchester City player.

Bentley was booked for his foul and then substitute Steven Reid somehow escaped punishment after raking his boot down Barton's leg.

The one thing certain was they couldn't shut him up - the fans may have to take note - as he continued to wind up his opponents right up until the final whistle.

At full time he led the applause for the away following - hiding appears not in his nature.

6:53pm Saturday 1st December 2007

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