Luke Littler was left visibly frustrated after losing a 4-0 lead and falling to Michael van Gerwen in the Premier League Darts quarter-finals in Liverpool. The 17-year-old, known as “The Nuke,” started strong but missed key opportunities to close out the match, including a dart for 5-0 and a crucial bullseye that would have secured victory.
Van Gerwen capitalized, leveling the match at 5-5 and eventually clinching the win in the deciding leg by hitting double tops. He now advances to face Luke Humphries in the semi-finals.
Despite the loss, Littler still holds the top spot in the Premier League standings. However, his recent form has dipped. Van Gerwen hinted post-match that the crowd’s jeers may have rattled his young opponent.
“He got annoyed with the crowd,” Van Gerwen told Sky Sports. “He played well at the start, but in this game, you need to stay focused and take your chances.”
Littler had anticipated a hostile reception at the M&S Bank Arena, especially after previously riling up Liverpool fans. Ahead of the match, he even taunted the crowd online following Everton’s 2-0 win over Liverpool, posting: “Bring on the boos.”
In the semi-final, Van Gerwen couldn’t maintain his momentum, losing 6-4 to Humphries after failing to complete another comeback. Humphries will now await the winner of Rob Cross vs. Gerwyn Price, with the Welshman currently sitting fourth in the table—just above Van Gerwen in the race to finals night at the O2.
