Luke Littler sits sixth in the Premier League table ahead of night four in Belfast, where he will face Jonny Clayton in the quarter-finals after being thrashed 6-1 by the same opponent in Glasgow last week.
Littler's recent struggles have been compounded by off-field distractions. According to multiple reports, he went to Tenerife for a break before the Glasgow night, a trip that Phil Taylor believes may have affected his performance. The 17-year-old has also been booed during his last two Premier League outings after a spat with Gian van Veen in Manchester three weeks ago. Phil Taylor, a six-time Premier League champion, told Daily Express - Sport that Littler's social media presence is baiting fans further, advising him to get off social media and practice more. Taylor said in a press conference: "I think it's something [crowds booing] that he's got to learn – he's only young. I don't think Luke is a villain by any means. Him not playing quite as well is great for the game, but I really like him and I understand what he's going through. If he asked me for advice, there are a few things I'd say to him, but I'll only do that if he wants it. He needs to get off social media – put that phone down and just don't keep posting things as a reaction. I have social media, but I have people to post for me. I was always told, 'whatever you do, don't have an opinion on social media'. What I'm trying to say is you can't win on there, so don't try to. He needs to practise more; he literally does not practise. We did an exhibition together. I was there as the guest speaker and Luke sat there for about two and a half hours on his phone. He was playing Luke Humphries, who was practising like mad for it, but he was there just playing on his phone. I asked him if he was going to practise and he went, 'nah'. He then goes and beats Humphries 8-1! I was thinking, 'this is impossible'… but he did it. For Luke to do what he's doing with so little practice shows the amount of talent he's got."
Last week, he went to Tenerife. He was with me on the Sunday [at an exhibition], then went to Tenerife for two days, so that'll knock you out. He obviously felt like he needed a break and a bit of sunshine. I said, 'Are you not practising?' He said, 'Nah'. I said, 'You're mental, you are, I don't know how you do it!' Sometimes, if talent doesn't work hard, hard work will beat talent. These [other] players will be practising. But he'll be there or thereabouts [in the Premier League]. I've done that myself, had a slow start and ended up winning it.
Taylor also commented on the impact of the booing, saying in a press conference: "It does seem to have had an impact because he isn't playing as well. Eventually it will stop but I think, at the moment, the thing I'd say to Luke is just go and play out of your skin. If you do that, the crowd will turn and be back on your side." According to Daily Express - Sport, Taylor described Littler as "phenomenal" and noted that he does not practice yet still beats top players. Taylor recounted an exhibition where Littler sat on his phone for two hours before beating Luke Humphries 8-1 without throwing a dart beforehand.
Despite his recent dip, Littler has had successes this season, including winning the Poland Darts Open by beating Gian van Veen in the final. He also received a bye in Glasgow after Michael van Gerwen withdrew. Taylor has suggested that the Premier League format should be changed to avoid repeat matches, telling Daily Express - Sport: "It's too much. When me and Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] used to play each other, it was every few weeks; now it's almost every week and it's taking the shine off the" matches. Littler and Clayton will meet again in the Belfast quarter-finals, and it remains to be seen whether Littler can reverse his recent form.
He is phenomenal, I can't say a bad word about him. And when he says he doesn't practice, he really doesn't. I was with him a couple of weeks ago at Chester. He sat there [before a match] and he never threw a dart. He then went out there and beat Luke Humphries 8-1! I could not do that. He's better than me in that regard. If I was there for two hours beforehand, I'd be practising for two hours. But he's capable of doing it, he's brilliant.
It's too much. When me and Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] used to play each other, it was every few weeks; now it's almost every week and it's taking the shine off the
I think it's something [crowds booing] that he's got to learn – he's only young. I don't think Luke is a villain by any means. Him not playing quite as well is great for the game, but I really like him and I understand what he's going through. If he asked me for advice, there are a few things I'd say to him, but I'll only do that if he wants it. He needs to get off social media – put that phone down and just don't keep posting things as a reaction. I have social media, but I have people to post for me. I was always told, 'whatever you do, don't have an opinion on social media'. What I'm trying to say is you can't win on there, so don't try to. He needs to practise more; he literally does not practise. We did an exhibition together. I was there as the guest speaker and Luke sat there for about two and a half hours on his phone. He was playing Luke Humphries, who was practising like mad for it, but he was there just playing on his phone. I asked him if he was going to practise and he went, 'nah'. He then goes and beats Humphries 8-1! I was thinking, 'this is impossible'… but he did it. For Luke to do what he's doing with so little practice shows the amount of talent he's got.
It does seem to have had an impact because he isn't playing as well. Eventually it will stop but I think, at the moment, the thing I'd say to Luke is just go and play out of your skin. If you do that, the crowd will turn and be back on your side.