Luke Littler, the 18-year-old darts prodigy, has kicked off a psychological onslaught ahead of the 2025 Premier League Darts play-off finals at London’s O2 Arena on May 29, 2025, by brutally highlighting Gerwyn Price’s costly “mistake” in the regular season. Fresh off a record-breaking sixth nightly win in Sheffield on May 22, 2025, where he defeated Luke Humphries 6-3 to secure a historic 45-point haul, Littler zeroed in on Price’s stumble that left him fourth in the standings, setting up a high-stakes semifinal clash. As reported by Nottinghamshire Live on May 23, 2025, Littler told Sky Sports, “Gezzy was 5-1 up, if he won that game he would have been third. Is that a mistake? Certainly I am ready for next week.”
The ‘Mistake’ That Shaped the Play-Offs
Price’s error came in a Sheffield quarterfinal against Chris Dobey, where he squandered a 5-1 lead, allowing Nathan Aspinall to overtake him for third place and forcing Price into a tougher matchup against top-seeded Littler instead of second-placed Humphries. Littler’s taunt, amplified by X posts like @DailyStar_Sport’s, marks a calculated move to unsettle Price, who holds a 7-6 head-to-head edge, including six consecutive wins earlier in 2025, such as a 6-3 Nottingham final on March 13, where Price’s clinical 6/11 doubles outshone Littler’s 103.39 average, per ESPN.
Littler’s Recent Dominance
Littler has flipped the script, winning their last two encounters: a 6-3 Leeds semifinal on May 8 with a 104 average and a 6-3 Manchester quarterfinal on April 10, where he overcame Price’s historic nine-darter, as noted by Sky Sports. His Sheffield masterclass—boasting a 114 average, 75% checkout rate, and massive 155 and 170 checkouts—underscored his dominance, with eight 180s and a 6-1 rout of Stephen Bunting in the quarterfinals, per BBC Sport. Littler’s record-breaking campaign, including the most 180s in Premier League history and a £10,000 bonus for topping the table, positions him as the favorite to defend his 2024 title.
Price’s Response and Threat
Price, with three nightly wins in Dublin, Nottingham, and Liverpool, remains a formidable threat, averaging 104.4 in his Liverpool final win over Humphries on April 17, 2025. He responded defiantly on Instagram, writing, “I just wanna play first next week, gives me more time to rest for the final,” signaling his belief in advancing to the championship match. His experience as a 2021 World Championship winner and flair for high-pressure moments make him a dangerous opponent, despite Littler’s recent edge.
Fan and Pundit Reaction
The darts community is abuzz, with fans on X amplifying the tension. @Oche180 hailed Littler’s “savage” mind games, noting, “The Nuke is locked in for the O2,” while @Tungsten_Tales cautioned that Price’s mental toughness could counter the jab, given his six straight wins over Littler earlier in the season. Pundit Wayne Mardle, per Sky Sports, predicted a Littler-Humphries final, but acknowledged Price’s potential to upset, citing his 94.1 average and 60% checkout rate in Nottingham.
The Road to the O2
Littler’s brutal dig at Price’s “mistake” sets the tone for a fiery semifinal, with the winner facing either Humphries or Aspinall in the final. Littler, who downplayed his Sheffield triumph as a “warm-up,” is peaking at the right time, but Price’s resilience and hunger to reclaim Premier League glory promise a fierce battle. With the darts world watching, this clash could define the 2025 season, as Littler’s mind games aim to rattle a seasoned champion.
