Luke Littler openly acknowledges that he has not spoken to Dutch rival Gian van Veen since their heated encounter in Manchester, but he maintains that the issue is effectively behind them. The two competitors found themselves in a public disagreement three weeks ago during a Premier League Darts fixture, when the reigning back‑to‑back world champion was accused of celebrating a missed match dart by his opponent. The incident sparked a chilly handshake at the conclusion of the match and ignited a flurry of comments on social media, with both players subsequently reinforcing their own versions of what transpired. Littler confirmed that he has not yet reached out to van Veen, yet he expressed optimism about the prospect of meeting again on the oche.
A potential rematch could materialise if both players advance to the knockout stages slated for Aberdeen, Leeds or Birmingham. "No, we haven’t spoken. I’m not the sort of person who goes up and starts a conversation with him," Littler told Sky Sports.
"Maybe he’s waiting for me to make the first move, but that’s not my style – even in the practice room, people usually approach me first." He added that he prefers to let the darts speak for themselves: "We can obviously settle it on the board, but behind the scenes everything has been normal and the preparation unchanged. I think he’s forgotten about it, and I’ve forgotten about it as well. I moved on the next day, went on holiday, and left it behind." The fallout from the Manchester episode has lingered for Littler. He reported hostile receptions in Rotterdam last week and a similarly unfriendly atmosphere in Liverpool on Thursday.
Despite the boos, Littler silenced the crowd with a commanding performance, dispatching Luke Humphries, Michael van Gerwen and Jonny Clayton en route to a night‑time victory. While the incident has generated extensive debate, Littler insists he harbours no regrets. "No, I don’t regret anything," he said. "I have my opinion, he has his, and we’re both entitled to them.
Onstage we’ve both moved on, but off‑stage we haven’t spoken. It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but I just had to keep going. Winning tonight gives me confidence." A win on the Mersey’s banks carries special significance for Littler, who has never felt fully embraced by Liverpool fans. His allegiance to Manchester United and his frequent jibes at the Anfield club’s fortunes on social media have not helped his reception.
Yet, according to Littler, the hostility in Liverpool pales in comparison to what he experienced in van Veen’s hometown of Rotterdam. "If it gets worse than that, then something’s wrong," he remarked. "Rotterdam was far worse than tonight.
I even proved last week that I can win under those conditions. There was no anxiety – I just expected the worst, but it wasn’t worse than Rotterdam.
That was the toughest I’ve faced." Looking ahead, the Premier League Darts competition continues each Thursday until the finals in May, with the remaining stages set to be broadcast on Sky Sports and streamed via NOW. While the rivalry between Littler and van Veen remains a talking point, both players appear focused on their individual campaigns.
Littler’s stance is clear: he will let his darts do the talking, and any personal issues will stay off the board unless forced by circumstance. The upcoming fixtures in Aberdeen, Leeds and Birmingham will determine whether the two will meet again, offering fans the chance to see whether the on‑stage tension translates into a decisive showdown. Until then, Littler remains determined to concentrate on his game, absorb the occasional criticism, and keep moving forward, confident that his recent triumphs will bolster his performance in the crucial stages of the league.