In a dramatic night at the M&S Bank Arena in Liverpool, teenage darts sensation Luke Littler faced a fiery test both on and off the oche during Night 12 of the 2025 Premier League Darts. The 18-year-old, known as ‘The Nuke’ for his explosive talent, entered the arena expecting a hostile reception—and he got it. As a proud Manchester United supporter, Littler had anticipated boos from the Liverpool crowd, a reaction fueled by his playful taunts last year when he mocked the city’s football fans over a 2-0 Merseyside Derby loss to Everton. That defeat had crushed Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes in Jurgen Klopp’s final season, and Littler’s gestures hadn’t been forgotten. Yet, what unfolded was more than just a match; it was a spectacle of rivalry, resilience, and raw emotion, culminating in a stunning collapse and an off-stage outburst that stole headlines.
Littler, the reigning world champion, strode onto the stage to face darts titan Michael van Gerwen in the quarter-finals, accompanied by a chorus of jeers that echoed over his walk-on song, ‘Greenlight.’ Unfazed, he had preemptively embraced the animosity, posting on social media the day before: “One of the best nights on the Premier League calendar coming up tomorrow, bring on the boos Liverpool.” The crowd delivered, their boos a nod to the football rivalry that Littler had leaned into 12 months earlier by gesturing the 2-0 scoreline and later sharing a cheeky jab online: “What is the difference between Luke Littler & Jurgen Klopp? Littler has more trebles!” For a city still basking in the glow of a potential Premier League football title under Arne Slot, Littler’s provocations made him public enemy number one.
On the oche, Littler started strong, racing to a commanding 4-0 lead over Van Gerwen. A record-breaking fifth nightly win of the season seemed within reach, a feat that would have solidified his dominance at the top of the Premier League standings. But the tide turned. A missed dart at the bullseye for 5-0 opened the door, and Van Gerwen, a seasoned champion, clawed back to 4-3. The tension mounted as Littler faltered again, missing doubles 20 and 10 in leg nine. Van Gerwen seized the moment, completing a remarkable comeback to win 6-5. The Liverpool crowd roared, their jeers now mixed with triumph as Littler’s hopes of silencing them crumbled.
As Littler descended the steps from the stage, his frustration boiled over. Off-stage footage captured the teenager gesturing angrily toward a section of the crowd, a rare crack in his usually composed demeanor. The moment, described by some as a “meltdown,” sparked debate about whether the hostile atmosphere had rattled the young star. Stephen Bunting, a Liverpool native and fellow darts player, had warned Littler of the reception, suggesting the teenager’s recent struggles with hostile crowds in Germany might leave him “fragile.” Bunting, who himself faced disappointment with a 6-1 loss to Rob Cross in the quarter-finals, remarked, “I don’t think he likes it—but sometimes you can bring it on yourself.”
Despite the defeat, Littler’s position at the top of the Premier League table remains secure, though his lead over world number one Luke Humphries narrowed to four points. Humphries reached the final but fell 6-4 to Gerwyn Price, who claimed his third nightly win of 2025 with a stellar 104.43 average. Price, relishing the support of the Liverpool crowd, declared post-match, “When I’m on my game, I am the best in the world.” The night underscored the fierce competition in the Premier League, with Littler, Humphries, and Price all vying for playoff spots on May 29.
For Littler, the Liverpool loss is a bump in an otherwise remarkable season. His meteoric rise, from PDC World Championship glory to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Europe list, has made him a global sports icon. Yet, nights like this reveal the challenges of stardom at such a young age. The boos, the banter, and the pressure of expectation are all part of the game, and Littler’s fiery response shows he’s not one to back down. As he prepares for the next leg of the Premier League, the darts world watches eagerly to see how ‘The Nuke’ will channel this setback into his next explosion of brilliance.