Luke Littler goads Liverpool crowd as he overcomes boos to record nightly win in Premier League Darts
Luke Littler reminds fans in Liverpool of Merseyside derby score, wildly celebrates a leg victory over Nathan Aspinall, and struggles to open a water bottle as he wins Night 13 of Premier League Darts - watch Night 14, in Aberdeen, live on Sky Sports on Thursday May 2
Friday 26 April 2024 15:33, UK
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Check out the best action from Week 13 of Premier League Darts in Liverpool as Luke Littler toyed with the crowd en route to securing a nightly win
Luke Littler has led a darting boom over recent months - but was subjected to some darting boos when he headed to Liverpool for Night 13 of the Premier League.
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The Manchester United fan expected a rough ride from the crowd and dealt with the hostile atmosphere to secure his third nightly win of the season and move five points clear at the top of the table.
Littler loved engaging with the audience and even signalled '2-0' as he walked to the stage for his quarter-final, referring to Everton's win over Liverpool in Wednesday's Merseyside derby.
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The 17-year-old also celebrated right in front of the crowd after nailing double top to take his semi-final versus Nathan Aspinall to a deciding leg, before nicking that match 6-5 from 5-2 down.
Littler then averaged 105 as he breezed past Rob Cross 6-2 in the final and now looks all but certain to make the play-offs in London on Thursday May 23 in his debut Premier League campaign.
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Littler referenced Everton's 2-0 win over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby
The teenager was jeered by the crowd in his quarter-final versus Gerwyn Price...
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The fans in Liverpool jeered Littler's opening dart
Have some of that! Littler gave it back to the fans after levelling his semi-final against Aspinall...
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Littler celebrated wildly after taking his semi-final with Nathan Aspinall into a deciding leg
Littler edged Aspinall 6-5 to reach the Liverpool final...
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Little pointed at Aspinall's missed double before wrapping up victory and reaching the final
Is there anything Littler cannot do? Well, open a water bottle by the looks of it!
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Littler struggled to open his water bottle ahead of the final, so had to get one of the markers to do it for him!
I used to think Littler was an introvert!
Speaking about the youngster's crowd-baiting antics in Liverpool, Sky Sports' Wayne Mardle said: "He was different. He showed more personality, more adrenaline.
"Maybe he came out of himself because of the booing? I don't know. Up until now, I would have called him an introvert but there was nothing introverted [about what he did in Liverpool].
"He is right up there with Eric Bristow and Michael van Gerwen at 17 because he is that good.
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Wayne Mardle enjoyed Littler's antics in Liverpool
"To show that confidence for someone so new to this - not new to darts or new to winning but he is new to this. He has fitted in and is going to be here for many a year."
Littler told Sky Sports: "I knew what was coming this week, I was building up to it. I always engage with the crowd and in the semi-final I was playing with complete freedom. I felt comfortable."
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Sky Sports commentator Stuart Pyke said of Littler on the Love the Darts Podcast: "He looks so at home, nothing fazes him. He is just box office.
"On a Thursday night, the Sky Sports viewing figures go through the roof. Everybody wants to see Littler, we all want to see Littler. He is a 17-year-old superstar."
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Littler was pleased to give himself breathing room in the race for the Premier League play-offs
Littler: Maybe I can top the table
On moving five-points clear of second-placed Luke Humphries in the standings, Littler added: "I am glad to push myself away from the other people.
"I can now look on to [winning the league phase]. There are only three weeks left so maybe I can top the table."
Premier League Darts, Night 14, Aberdeen - live on Sky Sports from 7pm on Thursday May 2
Quarter-finals
Peter Wright vs Michael Smith
Luke Littler vs Nathan Aspinall
Michael van Gerwen vs Rob Cross
Gerwyn Price vs Luke Humphries
2024 Premier League Darts schedule
Night 1
Cardiff
Feb 1
Winner: Michael Smith
Night 2
Berlin
Feb 8
Winner: Michael van Gerwen
Night 3
Glasgow
Feb 15
Winner: Michael van Gerwen
Night 4
Newcastle
Feb 22
Winner: Michael van Gerwen
Night 5
Exeter
Feb 29
Winner: Nathan Aspinall
Night 6
Brighton
March 7
Winner: Luke Humphries
Night 7
Nottingham
March 14
Winner: Luke Humphries
Night 8
Dublin
March 21
Winner: Luke Humphries
Night 9
Belfast
March 28
Winner: Luke Littler
Night 10
Manchester
April 4
Winner: Luke Littler
Night 11
Birmingham
April 11
Winner: Michael van Gerwen
Night 12
Rotterdam
April 18
Winner: Nathan Aspinall
Night 13
Liverpool
April 25
Winner: Luke Littler
Night 14
Aberdeen
May 2
Night 15
Leeds
May 9
Night 16
Sheffield
May 16
Finals Night
The O2, London
May 23
Watch Premier League Darts Night 14, from Aberdeen, live on Sky Sports Action from 7pm on Thursday May 2 or stream with NOW.
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