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‘If they can’t hack it, bad luck’ – Luke Littler vows to continue social media banter after trolling Klopp and Maupay
Littler often jumps to the defence of his favourite football team
LUKE LITTLER loves engaging in football banter on social media and he does not care what people think of his cheeky posts.
The teen sensation is a massive Manchester United fan and he poked fun on X last month when Erik ten Hag’s side knocked out Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final in the last minutes of extra time.
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No sooner had the tie finished – and Liverpool witnessed their domestic Treble chances vanish – the youngster posted a since-deleted image asking: “What is the difference between Luke Littler & Jurgen Klopp?
The punchline revealed: “Littler has more trebles!”
On Easter Sunday, he could not help but send a dig towards Brentford wind-up merchant Neal Maupay.
Following Saturday night’s 1-1 draw in West London, the Frenchman posted a picture of his Bees jersey being grabbed by Manchester United’s Scott McTominay.
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The caption online said: “This fan was desperate for my shirt.”
Littler responded on Instagram by saying: “Talks more than he scores.”
It is all playful and harmless, of course, but the 17-year-old is not going to stop if there is the chance to poke fun at rival clubs and players.
Ahead of his Manchester homecoming on Thursday, Littler said: “I enjoy it – everyone knows who Neal Maupay is and what he does.
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“Personally, I laugh at what he does, so I had my 20p worth, and why not?
“It’s all part of the fun. With the Newcastle fans, I had a bit of banter with Chris Dobey and United beating Liverpool was a big game to win.
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“So I had my 20p worth on social media again. If other people can’t hack it, bad luck.”
There are seven nights left before the top four in the Premier League table contest the O2 Arena playoffs on May 23.
Littler, who is second in the table, faces Michael van Gerwen, whom he beat last Thursday in the semi-finals in Belfast before claiming his maiden Prem night win.
The red half of the city in the 9,500 sell-out crowd will give him a hero’s welcome – three months after he reached the World final where he was defeated 7-4 by Luke Humphries.
This time last year, Littler was in the final weeks and months of secondary school – his rise to the top of the sport since then has been staggering.
The Warrington thrower has defeated every active PDC world darts campion since his Ally Pally heroics bar Flying Scotsman Gary Anderson, whom he has yet to play.
Littler said: “As a teenage boy, I still can’t believe I’m playing these guys week-in, week-out.
“Now I’ve won a Premier League night by beating Luke, Michael and Nathan (Aspinall), who have all won multiple majors. It’s what you dream of.
“Playing in Manchester is the night I’ve looked forward to the most. I’m a United fan and I can’t wait to get on that stage in front of a ‘home’ crowd.
“It would mean the world to win in front of all those people, at one of the biggest arenas in the country.
“I’ve got a tough game – Michael (van Gerwen) brings the best out of me but I seem to bring the best out of him.
“He hasn’t been in the best of form but we know he’s got those extra gears to switch on.
“I’m well-placed in the table and I feel comfortable now I’m second.
“Hopefully the crowd will be on my side, and they will get involved on the walk-on. But as soon as the referee says ‘Game on’, I won’t be swept up by the noise.
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“That’s what all of us have to do on Premier League nights.
“There’s going to be noise every dart you throw so you have to enjoy the noise but also shut it out when the pressure’s on.”
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