Mardle looks ahead to Van Gerwen versus Price as Premier League reaches Liverpool: "No matter what the event. These are the best two players on the planet"

Van Gerwen got the better of Price in the 2020 UK Open final this past weekend and despite their closely fought rivalry, Wayne Mardle sees the same result this time around between two players he says are the best in the world.

"This could be the match of any stage, couldn't it? No matter what the event. These are the best two players on the planet," said Mardle to Sky Sports.

"It seems to be whoever beats Van Gerwen makes someone else the best player. If Liverpool get beat by Aston Villa, it doesn't mean that Villa are the best team in the Premier League. I don't get it! Van Gerwen has always been the player to beat."

"People are now saying he's the world best player again. Well, he was before he won the UK Open. He's just confirmed it," he added.

"Price and Van Gerwen have been going at it for the last seven, eight occasions now. There's not been a lot between them at all but Van Gerwen gets the better of Price more often than not. And Price just again faltered in that UK Open final.

It's all about doing it under pressure. It's all about doing it when your opponent let's you in. Van Gerwen did and I think this will be the same again. It will be a great game and a high standard. They've drawn before in the Premier League, but not this time."