Van Gerwen rallies to defeat Littler 6-5 in Premier League quarter-finals

Luke Littler squandered a commanding 4-0 lead and missed multiple match darts, ultimately losing 6-5 to Michael van Gerwen in the Premier League quarter-finals in Liverpool. Littler, who was booed by the crowd due to his Manchester United allegiance and recent social media comments, appeared rattled as Van Gerwen staged an unlikely comeback. The loss meant Littler missed the chance to secure a record-breaking fifth nightly win and tighten his grip on the league standings, leaving world number one Luke Humphries poised to overtake him. Van Gerwen's victory, which few saw coming until Littler faltered, boosts the Dutchman's chances of reaching the play-offs, where he will face Humphries next. The match sparked reactions both in the arena and on social media, with many expressing disbelief at Littler's collapse. Van Gerwen commented afterward that Littler seemed to let the crowd affect his performance, emphasizing the importance of focus in high-pressure matches.