The 28-year-old has become used to hostile receptions and is expecting no different on Saturday, although he insists he does not have a problem with it.
Barton was sent off on his last trip to Liverpool two seasons ago, when Alan Shearer was manager of Newcastle, and the former England skipper threatened to kick Barton out of the club if he was made full-time Toon boss.
As we all know - neither happened.
Joey Barton: 'I think a lot has been made of it. It's because everything that happens around me becomes a big deal. People think I have metamorphosed into a saint.
'My disciplinary record isn't that bad on the pitch - I have only been sent off with straight reds twice.
'I have had a few second yellows, but that comes with it when you are a midfielder - it is part of the territory.
'I told Mick McCarthy I thought they had targeted me and he told me I was no shrinking violet myself.
'That's part of the game and Mick is a good football man - it's by the by, it's gone.
'We have competition for places and it's up to the lads who get the starts to hold on to that shirt, and that's the same for everybody here.
'We have got new players coming in and they are coming into a strong squad.
'I am fully fit now and had the full pre-season under my belt. I have got the chance to prove it in a good team.'