Luke Littler showed little concern for the hostile reaction he faced in Liverpool after clinching his twelfth night victory in the Premier League, insisting that the level of antagonism he encountered on Night 11 in Rotterdam remains the "worst he has experienced" to date. In recent weeks, Littler has become all too familiar with jeering crowds, a trend that reached a peak during his heated exchange with Dutch No.1 Gian van Veen on Night Nine in Manchester.
That match ended controversially when van Veen secured the win and Littler reacted angrily after his opponent turned toward him while throwing his match darts. Van Veen accused Littler of being "out of order" for "celebrating towards the crowd," a comment that sparked a wave of boos directed at the Englishman. Those boos followed Littler onto the stage for each of his three matches on his road to the final on Night 11 in Rotterdam, where he performed in front of van Veen’s home supporters.
The atmosphere was charged, and the jeers grew louder each time he stepped up to throw. Despite the hostile reception in Liverpool, Littler once again entered the M&S Bank Arena to a frosty welcome.
Undeterred, he delivered a masterclass performance, defeating three of the sport’s biggest names – Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton – to secure his fifth consecutive night win. The victory not only demonstrated his resilience but also moved him within three points of the league leader, Jonny Clayton, with only four regular weeks left in the competition. Reflecting on his Rotterdam experience, Littler made it clear that nothing would shake his focus.
"It is what it is," he told Sky Sports when asked about the booing. "I’ve won, and we move on to next week.
Rotterdam was far louder than tonight, and this week’s reaction is nothing compared to what I faced there. I just have to forget about it. I was focused, I definitely wanted to win tonight and that’s exactly what I did." He added later, "I proved last week that I can win games under those circumstances, and I’ve done it again. There’s no anxiety for me – I simply expect the worst, but it was still not as bad as Rotterdam.
That was the worst I’ve experienced, and it feels good to come through those games despite the pressure." It has now been three weeks since the original spat between Littler and van Veen, an incident that ignited a lingering resentment from some sections of the crowd each week. While the two have not spoken since the confrontation, Littler believes both players have moved past the drama and are ready to settle any remaining issues on the dartboard when they eventually meet again. "No, we haven’t spoken," Littler said when asked about any contact with van Veen.
"I’m not the type of person to go up and talk to him. Maybe he’s waiting for me to make the first move, but that’s not my style. Even in the practice room, people approach me first. I’m not the chatty type." He continued, "We can obviously settle it on the dartboard.
In the backroom it’s just business as usual – the preparation is the same. I think he’s forgotten about it, and I’ve forgotten about it too. If I need to talk to him, I will. I don’t regret anything.
I had my opinion, he had his, and we’re both entitled to them." Littler emphasized that the rivalry remains confined to the stage. "I think we’ve both moved on with our games on stage, but off‑stage we haven’t spoken. I’m sure we will eventually, but for now the focus is on the competition." Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts title race remains wide open.
Defending champion Luke Humphries will be looking to retain his crown, while the likes of Jonny Clayton, Michael van Gerwen and other top contenders continue to battle for the top spot. Fans can catch every Thursday night action until May on Sky Sports, with live streaming available via NOW. The broader narrative of this season highlights how modern darts players must not only master precision and strategy but also develop a thick skin for the intense scrutiny and vocal reactions of passionate fans.
Littler’s calm demeanor in the face of boos, his ability to channel that energy into performance, and his willingness to let the scoreboard do the talking illustrate the mental fortitude required at the elite level. Whether he ultimately clinches the Premier League title or not, his handling of the Rotterdam incident and subsequent triumphs in Liverpool will be remembered as a testament to his professionalism and resilience.
For those wanting to stay updated on the latest darts news, highlights, and analysis, Sky Sports offers a dedicated WhatsApp channel, while the Love the Darts podcast provides in‑depth discussions. As the season progresses, all eyes will remain on Littler, van Veen and the rest of the field to see who can maintain composure under pressure and emerge as the ultimate champion.