Luke Littler is all but assured of his place in the Premier League Darts play-offs at the O2 next month, after an outstanding night win in Liverpool on Thursday.
The 17-year-old claimed his first PL night win last month in Belfast, and followed that up with his second the following week in Manchester.
It has been a sensational rise for Littler and he now holds firm control of the Premier League standings, sitting five points clear of second-placed Luke Humphries.
On Thursday night at the M&S Bank Arena, however, it was his antics in goading Liverpool FC fans which drew more attention than his performance in front of the dart board.
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Luke Littler takes third Premier League night win in Liverpool
Luke Littler has learned the art of playing to the crowd over the past few weeks of Premier League competition, with the youngster playing up to his role of fan favourite.
He may not have endeared himself to some in the Liverpool crowd on Thursday night with his football-related jab at the home town crowd.
Littler, a diehard Manchester United fan, initially received a good-natured frosty reception from the Merseyside crowd. He responded by cupping his ears, before holding up two fingers on his left hand and a fist with his right, a clear reference to the disastrous result of Wednesday's derby for Liverpool.
Man Utd fan Luke Littler’s response to the Liverpool crowd’s boos 🫣 pic.twitter.com/ZD81qM6YZY
— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) April 26, 2024
Littler laughed as the cohort of the crowd from the red side of Liverpool met his gesture with boos - though the blue half also made their presence felt.
He would go on to repeat his gesture once again when he took to the stage and faced the crowd.
The boos from the crowd did not deter the rising star, who went on to ruthlessly dispatch of Rob Cross 6-2 in the final to take full control of the Premier League standings.
Luke Littler wins his THIRD Premier League night as he takes the title in Liverpool! 🏆
He'll be heading to the O2 for finals night 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Ky0acmFij8— Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) April 25, 2024
Speaking to Sky Sports after the night's action was concluded, Littler laughed off the antics of his playful clash with the crowd:
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 just felt comfortable, I knew what was coming...I was expecting the worst, it was a bit bad but I didn't help myself. I stayed calm and won all my games.
It is just banter - I knew what I got myself into and I knew what was going to happen. I knew it would be totally different, I was just happy tonight.
I think I won!
Just three nights of Premier League Darts action remain, with the circus visiting Aberdeen, Leeds, and Sheffield in the coming weeks.
The four-man play-offs will then take place in London's O2 Arena on May 23rd. As it stands, the four contestants will be Littler, Luke Humphries, Nathan Aspinall, and Michael van Gerwen.
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