Luke Littler ignores Liverpool boos to thrash Luke Humphries in Premier League

By Jonathan Veal, Press Association

Luke Littler defied a hostile reception to beat Luke Humphries in their Premier League quarter-final in Liverpool.

The back-to-back world champion was subject to heavy booing as he made his way on to the stage and was then jeered at various points throughout the match, but he silenced the crowd in style by cruising to a 6-2 victory.

Littler has never enjoyed the warmest of welcomes on Merseyside, mainly because he is a Manchester United fan and has been quick to mock Liverpool’s fortunes on social media.

However, the general mood towards the teenager has soured in recent weeks following his spat with Gian van Veen in Manchester.

But Littler let his darts do the talking as he sent the defending champion and his biggest rival packing with a solid performance.

Victory means he will play Michael van Gerwen in the semi-final after the Dutchman beat Josh Rock in their quarter-final.

A hotly anticipated rematch between Littler and Van Veen, who is celebrating his 24th birthday, can happen in the final, if the latter can get past Jonny Clayton in the semi-final.

Defending champion Humphries’ hopes of making the play-offs at London at the end of May took a huge blow with his defeat to Littler.