Luke Littler was accused of letting himself be “annoyed” by the crowd as he blew a 4-0 lead to lose to Michael van Gerwen. ‘The Nuke’ was rampany early on before missing a dart for 5-0, and then another big chance to make it 5-1.
He later missed a chance at bullseye for the match before ‘MVG’ broke to level the clash at 5-5. Even in the deciding leg, the Dutchman produced a couple of sloppy visits but the teenager couldn’t take advantage. Van Gerwen eventually took victory with his 16th dart of the leg, winning through to a semi-final with Luke Humphries.
Littler remains top of the Premier League, but his form has faltered in recent weeks. After his dramatic win, Van gerwen suggested his rival had let the jeers of the Liverpool crowd get to him.
“He (Littler) has twice as many points as me,” he said. “It wasn’t a great game. It was a tough game from both of us. He got annoyed with the crowd.
“I didn’t play my own game and he played well in the beginning but you need to make sure you believe in your own ability and when you get chances you’ve got to take them.”
Littler had expected to be booed when he entered, having wound up the crowd at the M&S Bank Arena during his tournament win last year. Littler mocked Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Everton the previous evening, and had taken to social media this week to say: “Bring on the boos.”
MORE TO FOLLOW
We’ll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.
For the latest news and breaking news visit: express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – providing real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.