Luke Littler says seeing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp talk about him was just another day in his crazy life.
Klopp compared his young group of players, who helped win the Carabao Cup last week and then earned a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals, with the 17-year-old, who the German described as the “new feeling of darts”.
Littler, who advanced to the round of 16 at the UK Open on Friday night, burst onto the scene at the World Championships over Christmas.
His historic run to the final saw him transcend the sport and become a global star, so seeing Klopp reference him was nothing out of the ordinary.
Littler, a loyal Manchester United supporter, said: “I actually watched the final and the youngsters are doing well, but if you want to compare them with me then you can.”
Luke Littler rose to fame after reaching the final of the World Darts Championship
Jurgen Klopp praised 18-year-old Jayden Danns after he scored twice to help Liverpool beat Southampton 3-0 in the FA Cup.
His brace came after Lewis Koumas broke the first-half deadlock for Liverpool on his debut.
“I actually woke up and someone told me he compared me to his guys, so I went online and watched the video.
‘I liked it and went to the next video. “That was literally another day in my life.”
Littler is seeking his first major title since joining the main PDC Tour at the start of the year and looked perfect in his first match at Butlin’s in Minehead.
He averaged over 100 and produced four 100+ finishes, including a ‘Big Fish’, when he beat James Wade 10-7.
With Michael van Gerwen surprisingly falling, Littler is now the favorite to win.
“I haven’t even thought about it, but I know that if my game is there in every game then I don’t see why I can’t win it,” he said.
“I don’t care who I play. It’s what I dreamed of, playing in front of thousands of people every week, I just take it easy.”
Three-time champion Van Gerwen was below average when Mensur Suljovic took him out at the first hurdle.
The Austrian has been stagnant in recent years, but scored a notable victory, beating Van Gerwen, who appeared to be recovering from an elbow injury.
Suljovic said: “I beat Michael van Gerwen, the best player in the world. I feel good, I practice every day, I am a different person.
“I had a big problem with my family, I came back and trained every day and I hope I can do well in the tournament.”
Andrew Gilding began the defense of his 2023 title with a 10-7 victory over Josh Payne and intends to celebrate by eating a Pot Noodle.
‘Goldfinger’ was a surprise winner last year when he beat Van Gerwen in a thrilling final and finished so late he had nothing to eat except the instant snack.
Littler is a die-hard Manchester United fan and has been able to get to know the team since his newfound stardom.
The youngster is seeking his first major title since joining the main PDC Tour at the beginning of the year.
“When I won last year there were no takeaways open so I had to have a Pot Noodle to celebrate,” he said. ‘So I brought a couple of noodles and tonight I’ll have one out of tradition.
‘I have chicken and mushrooms or beef and tomato. Maybe have meat and tomato with a little more ketchup, I bring my own.
Former world champion Michael Smith said he couldn’t celebrate his 10-7 victory over Josh Cullen in the same way because he had already had one at lunch.
“I had pot noodles for lunch before I came here, so that’s out the window,” he said. “I have a standing order and they send me some every month.”
Gerwyn Price was beaten 10-9 by Martin Schindler, but there were wins for world number one Luke Humphries, Gary Anderson and Nathan Aspinall.