Luke Littler took the jeering he encountered in Liverpool in stride as he secured his twelfth night victory in the Premier League, remarking that the hostile reaction he faced on Night 11 in Rotterdam remains the "worst he has experienced" to date. In recent weeks, Littler has become increasingly accustomed to hearing boos from various audiences, with the most intense episode stemming from a heated exchange with Dutch No.
1 Gian van Veen during Night Nine in Manchester. That particular match turned controversial when van Veen, after throwing his match darts, turned toward Littler in a manner that provoked a sharp response. Littler’s celebratory gesture toward the crowd was deemed "out of order" by van Veen, who accused him of "celebrating towards the crowd".
The incident quickly escalated into a verbal spat that spilled over into the next venues. The fallout was evident in Rotterdam, where Littler was met with a chorus of boos as he made his way to the stage for each of his three matches on his route to the Night 11 final. The atmosphere was unmistakably hostile, with van Veen’s home supporters clearly still remembering the earlier confrontation.
Despite the negativity, Littler remained focused on his game and ultimately progressed to the final night. When Littler arrived in Liverpool for the subsequent evening, the reception was similarly frosty. Nevertheless, he turned the lack of applause into motivation, delivering a dominant performance at the M&S Bank Arena.
He defeated three of the sport’s most respected players—Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen, and Jonny Clayton—in succession, earning his fifth consecutive nightly win. This string of victories placed him just three points behind Clayton at the top of the league standings, with four regular weeks still to play. Reflecting on his Rotterdam experience, Littler made it clear that he would not allow the boos to affect his composure.
"It is what it is," he told Sky Sports, acknowledging the crowd’s reaction but emphasizing his focus on the result. "I’ve won, and we move on to next week.
Rotterdam was far louder than Liverpool tonight; this week was nothing compared to last week. I just had to forget about it and stay concentrated on winning, which I did." He added that his performance under pressure proved a point: "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 expect the worst, but it wasn’t worse than Rotterdam. That was the worst I have experienced, and it feels good to come through those games despite the hostility." Three weeks have now passed since the original clash between Littler and van Veen, a dispute that has fueled a lingering resentment among some fans each week.
Although the two have not spoken since the incident, Littler believes both players have moved on professionally. He hinted at a possible on‑stage showdown in the future, saying, "We can settle it on the dartboard.
In the practice room things are normal, and preparation remains the same. If we need to talk, we will, but I’m not the type to chase a conversation." Littler’s calm demeanor off the oche contrasts with the intensity he displays during matches. He explained that his approach to interpersonal interactions is reserved: "People usually approach me first in the practice room; I’m not the one who goes up and starts a chat.
If van Veen wants to talk, that’s fine, but I don’t force it." Both players maintain that the incident was a matter of opinion, each standing by their perspective without regret. "I don’t regret anything. I had my opinion, he has his, and we’re both entitled to them," Littler said. He reiterated that while the rivalry may still exist on stage, it has not spilled over into personal animosity off stage.
Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts continues to build excitement as the season approaches its climax. Defending champion Luke Humphries will aim to retain his title, while contenders like Littler, van Gerwen, and Clayton vie for the top spot. Fans can follow the weekly Thursday fixtures on Sky Sports or stream the action via NOW, with additional highlights, analysis, and podcasts such as "Love the Darts" providing deeper insight into the sport. In summary, Littler’s ability to shrug off the boos in Liverpool and his candid criticism of the Rotterdam crowd illustrate his mental resilience.
By turning adversity into motivation, he has not only secured a crucial win but also demonstrated that he can thrive under pressure, regardless of the audience’s reaction. His upcoming matches promise further drama, especially if a rematch with van Veen eventually materialises, offering a chance for the two to settle their differences once and for all on the dartboard.