"I said you got beat 2–1 today": Luke Littler pokes fun at Liverpool fan on walk-on stoking rivalry amid Belgian Darts Open Krcmar win

Luke Littler joked about a light-hearted exchange with a Liverpool fan as he powered into the last 16 of the Belgian Darts Open with a commanding 6–2 win over Boris Krčmar in Wieze.

The teenage star, who averaged an impressive 104.7 at the Belgian Darts Open revealed the walk-on banter, which came after he was told Belgium’s national football team are nicknamed the Red Devils. “I didn’t know that. There are a lot of Manchester United fans here. I know there was one Liverpool fan on the walk-on. I said you got beat 2–1 today,” Littler said, laughing off the friendly rivalry.

The master of ceremonies Philip Brzezinski was quick to brush off the football chat though to return to his next opponent but after his jibe also at the Nottingham Forest fans in the Premier League too, he is one always for stoking the rivalries.

Still only in the early stages of his career, Littler already boasts a formidable history in Belgium, returning as a back-to-back champion and defending his title in front of a supportive crowd. “I love it here,” he said. “Obviously, my first European Tour was here, and I’m here to defend it again. I want to go and win it again.

“Performances like that put me right up there, and coming off the back of that win in Ireland, it’s set me up nicely. I can’t wait to go again tomorrow.”

While Littler has avoided Germany in particular like the plague in recent times, the fans in Belgium while getting behind their players have been markably more professional towards those facing their leading lights and so no doubt Littler who hasn't played in Germany that much since issues last year can find solace in the country.

Despite cruising past Krcmar, Littler was typically self-critical, suggesting his performance could have reached even greater heights. “It could have been a lot better,” he admitted. “But as my first-round games go, it’s always gone to plan here, and yeah, we move on to tomorrow.”

The 104.7 average underlined his dominance, even with what he described as a minor dip in the penultimate leg preventing an even bigger number.

Littler now faces Niels Zonneveld on Sunday in Wieze, a player he has yet to meet on the big stage. The Dutchman arrives in strong form, something Littler is fully aware of. “I always check the results, I always look at the European Tour results before I play, and he’s been playing very well,” he said. But I’m stood in his way, and I’ll definitely be on my A-game tomorrow.” With confidence high and another big average already posted, Littler heads into finals day once again looking like the man to beat in Belgium.