Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton has said that Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli's actions are often blown out of proportion.

Barton, who has been criticised throughout his career for a number of controversial incidents both on and off the pitch, believes that the Italian has been the target of harsh treatment from the media.

"He's just a young boy trying to find his way in life," said Barton. "Some of the things he has done are petty but they get blown out of all proportion.

"On the flipside of that you've got golden boy Jack Wilshere, who's done a lot worse things than Balotelli yet it's massively played down.

"He and Balotelli are having the same sort of problems off the pitch but one is perceived to be a goody two shoes!"

Meanwhile, Barton and QPR travel to Anfield to face Liverpool this afternoon.