In a charged atmosphere at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena, 18-year-old darts sensation Luke Littler, the reigning PDC World Champion, turned the heat up a notch during his walkout for Night 12 of the 2025 Premier League Darts. The Manchester United fanatic, no stranger to riling up rival fans, strutted onto the oche flashing a bold hand gesture that referenced Everton’s 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the Merseyside derby just days earlier on April 24. Holding up two fingers on one hand and a fist on the other, Littler’s taunt reminded the Scouse crowd of their football team’s defeat, sparking a chorus of boos but cementing his reputation as a fearless showman unafraid to embrace the villain’s role.
Littler, nicknamed “The Nuke” for his explosive scoring power, anticipated the hostile reception, having posted on social media the day before, “One of the best nights on the Premier League calendar coming up tomorrow, bring on the boos Liverpool.” His provocative gesture was a nod to the 2024 derby, where Everton’s goals in each half ended a 14-year drought for a home win against their arch-rivals, a result that dealt a blow to Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes under Jurgen Klopp. Everton’s official account on X jumped on the moment, tweeting, “Luke Littler knows the score at Premier League Darts Liverpool!” alongside a clip of his walkout, amplifying the buzz around his antics. Local hero Stephen Bunting, a Liverpool fan, had warned Littler of the consequences, noting, “Last year, I was there as a fan and he was mocking us for getting beat 2-0 by Everton, and I don’t think people forget stuff like that. Football rivalries will always be part of the sport, one way or another, but it’s a dangerous path to go down.”
The quarter-final clash against Michael van Gerwen was a rollercoaster, with Littler surging to a 4-0 lead, only to falter as he missed a dart at bullseye for 5-0 and two match darts at 5-3. As he took out a stunning 160 checkout to move a leg away from victory, Littler nodded to the crowd and gestured for them to “calm down,” further stoking their ire. “It depends on how the fans react, but like the thing in Newcastle and Liverpool, I will always give it back to them,” Littler later said, defending his crowd interactions. Van Gerwen, capitalizing on Littler’s missed doubles, staged a remarkable comeback to win 6-5, a loss that saw Littler’s lead at the top of the Premier League table cut to four points by Luke Humphries. The night ended with Gerwyn Price claiming victory, defeating Humphries 6-4 in the final with a 104.43 average, his third nightly win of the season.
Littler’s antics in Liverpool were not his first brush with hostile crowds. Earlier in 2025, he faced jeers in Munich at the German Grand Prix, prompting him to hint at skipping future German events, writing on Instagram, “Shouldn’t have been in Munich but had to play anyway.” His outspoken support for Manchester United, coupled with social media jabs like a March 2024 post mocking Jurgen Klopp—“What is the difference between Luke Littler & Jurgen Klopp? Littler has more trebles!”—has made him a lightning rod for rival fans. Yet, his confidence remains unshaken. “I don’t want to say I have secured top spot yet in the Premier League. I will just relax these next few weeks,” he said, eyeing the May 29 play-offs at the O2 Arena, where he aims to defend his 2024 title.
Despite the loss, Littler’s 2025 season has been a masterclass, with a World Championship win over Van Gerwen, a record five nightly Premier League victories, and over £1.5 million in prize money. His Liverpool gesture, while divisive, underscores his flair for showmanship, a trait that has endeared him to fans and foes alike. As he prepares for the final weeks of the Premier League, Littler’s ability to thrive under pressure—on and off the oche—ensures he remains the sport’s brightest star, ready to face any crowd, boos and all.
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