Luke Littler is ready to make Michael van Gerwen pay for his comments after being told he was the ‘biggest disappointment’ at Alexandra Palace this year.
The two darts star will meet in Friday night’s PDC World Championship final in what promises to be a match for the ages.
GettyVan Gerwen and Littler will square off for the £500,000 jackpot winnings on Friday night[/caption]
Littler eased past fan favourite Stephen Bunting on Thursday – winning 6-1 to book his spot in back-to-back finals at Ally Pally.
Van Gerwen meanwhile beat Chris Dobey by the same scoreline as he looks to win a fourth world title in what will be his seventh showpiece appearance.
The two finalists have faced each other on 12 occasions, with both boasting six wins apiece.
And for Littler, he will be hoping to make his Dutch rival eat some humble pie following MVG’s attempt at mind games earlier in the tournament.
Prior to The Nuke’s quarter-final win over Ryan Joyce, Van Gerwen criticised the teenager’s form following his his early round wins over Ryan Meikle and Ian White.
He said: “I think the biggest disappointment so far is Luke Littler. A lot of people are expecting a lot of him, that’s the reason why he is not 100 per cent.”
Littler responded in the perfect fashion – posting a three-dart average of 103 in his seven-set thriller against Joyce.
Speaking about Van Gerwen’s comments immediately after his win, he stated: “It [his performance] might answer a few questions, but I’m just happy with the result.”
And in an interview with talkSPORT after his stunning display against Bunting, the Warrington native insisted there will be no friendliness between him and his rival at the oche.
It comes amid Littler and Bunting regularly fist bumping and shaking hands during their battle.
Littler remarked: “There will be no fist bumps after sets I’m pretty sure.
“Of course it’s the final, we’ve both got to stay focused. I can’t wait for it.”
And Littler then insisted he is relishing reuniting his rivalry with Van Gerwen, as he said: “This is the main one that they [fans] wanted to see as soon as Luke [Humphries] went out.
“But as soon as Luke went out, all the focus was on me.
“But you’ve got to see who Michael has got past, he’s been through some tough challenges and so have I, but this is probably the hardest game to win.
“Tomorrow we just – not relax – but let them go.”
Littler, who joked he’s ‘ready for a Royal Rumble’, concluded his interview with talkSPORT by saying: “It’s obviously been a while since Michael has won one [World Championship – 2019].
“I’m sure he’s hungry for that fourth, and I’m obviously hungry for my first.”
