Luke Littler defied a hostile Liverpool crowd to beat Luke Humphries 6-2 in their Premier League quarter-final on Thursday night. The reigning world champion was booed upon his entrance and throughout the match, with animosity largely stemming from his Manchester United support and past social media taunts aimed at Liverpool. The general mood towards the teenager has also recently soured following a public spat with Gian van Veen.
However, Littler let his darts do the talking, delivering a solid performance to dispatch his rival. His victory sets up a semi-final against Michael van Gerwen, who defeated Josh Rock. A highly anticipated rematch between Littler and Van Veen, celebrating his 24th birthday, could materialise in the final if Van Veen overcomes Jonny Clayton. For defending champion Humphries, the defeat significantly dents his hopes of making the play-offs in London this May.
Littler, the back-to-back world champion, cruised past his biggest rival in his opening match of the night, showcasing his composure under pressure. The victory not only advances him in the tournament but also sends a strong message to his critics.
