Luke Littler has openly acknowledged that he has not spoken to Dutch rival Gian van Veen since their heated encounter in Manchester, but he maintains that the episode is now behind them. The two competitors were involved in a tense on‑stage confrontation during a Premier League Darts match three weeks ago, when the reigning back‑to‑back world champion was accused of gloating after van Veen missed a crucial match dart.

Their interaction ended with a chilly handshake, and the aftermath played out across social media as each player defended his own version of events. Littler confirmed that he has not yet reached out to the Dutchman to clear the air.

"No, we haven't spoken. I'm not the sort of person who goes up to someone and tries to smooth things over," he said.

He added that perhaps van Veen is waiting for him to make the first move, but Littler prefers to let others approach him first, even in the practice area. "I'm not the type to chat away," he reiterated, emphasizing his focus on the sport rather than off‑stage drama. Despite the lingering tension, Littler is eager for a possible rematch should both players advance to the knockout stages in Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham. "We can obviously settle it on the darts board," he noted, "but backstage everything has been normal and our preparation unchanged." He believes both men have moved on mentally: "I think he's forgotten about it, I've forgotten about it.

I went on holiday the day after and left it behind." The fallout from the Manchester incident has not been limited to the players' personal feelings. Littler reported a wave of hostility from fans, beginning with a cold reception in Rotterdam last week and continuing with an unwelcoming atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday.

Nevertheless, he managed to silence the critics with a dominant performance, defeating Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton in a single night to claim victory. When asked whether he regretted his conduct in Manchester, Littler was unequivocal: "No, I don't regret anything. Everyone has an opinion, and I'm entitled to mine just as he is entitled to his. We've both moved on on stage, but off stage we haven't spoken yet.

It has been a tough couple of weeks, but I had to keep going. Winning tonight gives me confidence and reminds me why I play darts." Littler's relationship with the city of Liverpool has always been complicated.

As a vocal Manchester United supporter, he has frequently teased the fortunes of the Anfield club on social media, which has not endeared him to the local crowd. However, he claims that the hostility he faced in Liverpool was milder than the animosity he encountered in van Veen's home base of Rotterdam.

"Rotterdam was far worse than tonight. I even proved last week that I can win games under those circumstances. There was no anxiety – I expected the worst, but it wasn't any worse than Rotterdam.

That's the toughest I've experienced," he explained. Looking ahead, Littler remains focused on his game. He acknowledges that the Premier League Darts season is still ongoing, with matches every Thursday leading up to the finals in May. While the personal dispute with van Veen adds a narrative layer, his primary objective is to perform on the oche and collect victories.

"Just playing darts, that's what I've done now. Winning this night gives me confidence," he said, underscoring his determination to let his results speak for themselves. If both competitors continue their strong form, a showdown in the later stages of the league could provide a definitive answer to who has the upper hand.

Until then, Littler says he will keep his focus on practice, preparation, and the next match, leaving the off‑stage drama to settle itself over time. The darts community will be watching closely, as the rivalry between these two rising stars adds intrigue to an already exciting Premier League season.