DOUBLE KOP!
Luke Littler turns the boos into cheers as he crushes Rob Cross 6-2 in Liverpool Premier League darts final
Warrington whizkid storms back to top of table after dominating a night packed with banter
LUKE LITTLER turned jeers to cheers at Liverpool as the Manchester United fan beat Rob Cross to go top of the Premier League Darts table.
The Nuke began a banter-packed evening cupping his ears to boos from fans but ended it cupping the trophy following his third weekly victory.
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Littler, 17, beat Gerwyn Price 6-3 in his quarter-final opener, then stunned last week's winner Nathan Aspinall with a 6-5 comeback thriller before overcoming Cross 6-2 in the final.
The Warrington starlet's English rival briefly made him sweat in that conclusion to Prem Night 13.
At 5-0 down and facing a rare whitewash, Cross won two legs in a row.
But the Nuke took the eighth to clinch success at the M&S Bank Arena.
He then told Sky Sports of his sparring with fans: "I knew what was coming this week and I was building up to it.
"I always engage with the crowd and the semi-final I was playing with complete freedom.
";I just felt comfortable tonight. I knew what was coming and I was glad to win."
Littler even added a touch of what viewers called pure "box office" on his dominant evening - when what appeared a cheeky prediction came true.
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He seemed to suggest pal Aspinall would miss a match-winning attempt at bullseye during their semi-final - and was spot on.
That only helped further whip up the atmosphere in the crowd.
Luke Littler shows off impressive football skills as darts star destroys crossbar challenge in Man Utd top
And in the end Littler had most fans on his side as he moved five points clear of world champion Luke Humphries in the eight-man table.
The top four qualify for the play-offs in May.
Earlier in the night, Peter Wright's 6-3 quarter-final loss to Michael van Gerwen had put "Snakebite" out of his misery.
Wright, who has just four points, is now officially out of contention with three weeks remaining.
Meanwhile, Littler's most theatrical moments came at 5-3 down to Aspinall.
The Nuke entertained the audience throughout with his amusing range of facial expressions and gestures.
Inside Littler's massive rise
LUKE LITTLER has taken the darts world by storm since exploding onto the scene at the PDC World Championship.
The Nuke reached the final on his Ally Pally debut at just 16 years of age - smashing records along the way.
He has since joined Jude Bellingham on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list.
And the teenage titan even had to snub an invite from the WWE.
The Sun exclusively revealed that Littler is plotting to create a fitness empire.
He is also cashing in away from the Oche thanks to an Instagram side hustle.
And he's even the face of a brand new cereal.
Check out all of our Luke Littler stories here.
And when the Asp prepared for a shot at bull when 5-3 up, Littler flicked his finger in a way in the manner of his mate throwing.
Aspinall went on to miss - before Littler snatched the leg and then won the next two for a 6-5 triumph.
After checking out with 56, Littler continued his banter with the crowd by celebrating wildly and goading fans.
Repeating his gesture from the start of the evening, he put his hands to his ears
And he had more fun soon afterwards when defeating Cross.
Littler said: "It's been looking tight [for the play-off places] the last few weeks but I'm glad to win and be clear of it.
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"I'm happy to push myself away from the other people but I know it's going to be tight for the other bunch."
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