Man Utd fan Luke Littler dismisses praise from Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp as ‘literally another day in my life’
LUKE LITTLER says that receiving praise from Jurgen Klopp was just “literally another day in my life”.
The 17-year-old became a national superstar with his fairytale run at the PDC World Darts Championship which ended on January 3 when Luke Humphries, 28, beat him 7-4 at Ally Pally to be crowned champion.
The star, dubbed ‘Luke the Nuke’, did pick up £200,000 for finishing runner-up and then won the Bahrain Masters, pocketing another £20,000, by beating Michael van Gerwen in the final.
Littler then returned to hometown Warrington for a low-key 17th birthday celebration and went on to beat beat Humphries in the semi-finals of the Dutch Masters but suffered a loss to MVG in the final.
He only turned professional in January and he capped a whirlwind few weeks with a first a call-up for and then making his Premier League bow.
His exploits have impressed everybody, including legendary football manager Klopp.
However, the darts ace seemed unmoved about that praise when asked about it following his win over James Wade to reach the last-32 of the UK Open on Friday.
He said: “I gave it a like and went on to the next video. That was literally another day in my life.”
Manchester United fan Littler added: “I actually watched the final and the young lads are doing well, but if he wants to compare them to me then he can.”
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Littler averaged nearly 102 and had four 100-plus finishes while beating Wade 10-7 and is now favourite for the tournament after Michael van Gerwen’s opening night loss to Austria’s Mensur Suljovic.
On his chances of lifting a first major title since joining the main PDC Tour, Littler said: “I have not even thought about it, but I know if my game is there every match then I don’t see why I can’t win it.
“I don’t mind who I play. It is what I dreamed of, playing in front of thousands every week, I just take it in my stride.”
Klopp had likened Liverpool youngster Jayden Danns to Littler after the 18-year-old was thrust into the spotlight due to the injury crisis currently blighting the Merseysiders.
He showed his potential by bagging a brace in the Reds’ FA Cup fifth-round clash with Southampton on Wednesday, with his manager saying: “It is [a] little bit like the new darts sensation, it is fine for tonight. Tomorrow, leave the boys in the corner.
“Everyone who is with us, we should have our moments, they will have more moments than we expect.”
He added: “[He’s an] exceptional talent.
“Of course, it is not natural that a boy 18, is as calm as you like. The second goal calm as you like.”