Luke Littler has made his feelings crystal clear when asked how a dream showdown against darts legend Phil Taylor would unfold — and the teenage world champion didn’t hesitate with his response.
The 18-year-old has been widely tipped as the sport’s next all-time great after capturing a second World Darts Championship title and continuing his meteoric rise at the top of the PDC rankings. Inevitably, comparisons with 16-time world champion Phil Taylor have followed, with fans constantly debating how the pair would match up at their peaks.
When posed the question about a hypothetical clash with Taylor, Littler answered confidently and without pause, making it clear he would back himself against anyone.
“I’d fancy myself,” Littler said. “If I’m playing my game, I believe I can beat anyone — even Phil.”
The comment underlined the fearless mindset that has defined Littler’s breakthrough into the professional game. Despite his young age, he has already shown an ability to thrive under pressure, break records, and perform on the biggest stages — traits that once defined Taylor’s dominance of the sport.
Littler did, however, acknowledge Taylor’s legendary status and the challenge such a match would present.
“Phil’s the greatest there’s ever been,” he added. “What he did for darts will probably never be matched. But I’ve always said, if you don’t believe you can win, you shouldn’t be up there.”
Taylor, who retired from competitive darts in 2018, has previously praised Littler’s natural scoring power, composure, and maturity, suggesting the youngster has the tools to dominate for years to come if he maintains his hunger and discipline.
Fans have been quick to react to Littler’s comments, with many applauding his confidence rather than seeing it as arrogance. Others have reignited the age-old debate about eras in darts and how modern players would fare against Taylor in his prime.
While a Littler-vs-Taylor match will remain firmly in the realm of fantasy, the conversation highlights just how quickly the teenager has been elevated into discussions normally reserved for the sport’s immortals.
For now, Littler’s focus remains on building his own legacy — but if belief is anything to go by, he sees himself capable of standing toe-to-toe with even the greatest name darts has ever known.
