"Personally, I don't think he'll win 16 world titles": Stephen Bunting says Luke Littler won't emulate Phil Taylor as US Darts Masters campaign begins

While much of the sporting world is focused on the FIFA World Cup this week, the world's best darts players have also gathered in the United States. The iconic Madison Square Garden is hosting the US Darts Masters, where stars such as Luke Littler, Luke Humphries, Gerwyn Price, Jonny Clayton, Josh Rock and Stephen Bunting are battling for the title.

For Bunting, the US Darts Masters is a special tournament. The popular Liverpudlian returns to New York, a city that impressed him greatly last year. Speaking ahead of the event, "The Bullet" discussed the growth of darts in America, the mental side of elite sport, his work with a hypnotist, and the remarkable development of the current playing field.

The tremendous growth of darts across Europe in recent years is no secret. The sport fills major arenas week after week and attracts millions of viewers worldwide. But what about on the other side of the Atlantic?

According to Bunting, enthusiasm in the United States is greater than many people realise, and the fans certainly buy into what is trying to be achieved. "They certainly did last year. It was great to be a part of it and obviously to play in Madison Square Garden is a dream come true, to be honest. It's such an iconic venue," said Bunting to talkSPORT.

"The walk-on was a bit strange because it was a zig-zag walk-on and there were no barriers, so it's a bit different to the UK, but we all enjoyed it as players and the crowd certainly got behind it."

"They were all bouncing up and down when the 180s were going in and when the doubles were being hit, which is great.

"That's what we like to see. I think it's so important that we get to show our skills across the globe, and to come to New York City, one of the best cities in the world, is amazing for us as players as well."

Walking on to the dulcet tones of Titanium by Sia, Bunting speaks about harnassing the walk-on in order to then recompose himself ahead of playing as well as his work with a hypnotist and a sports psychologist too.

"The walk-on is so important now because it gets the crowd up on their feet, singing your walk-on song and getting behind you. Then you get on stage and you've got to recompose yourself and start playing darts. Like you've just alluded to, it's a very mental game. When you're up there, you're the only one who can control everything that goes on. You can't control how your opponent is going to play.

"I've been seeing a hypnotist and sports psychologists to try and get the best out of my game and find that extra percentage to be able to compete with these guys."

He spoke about his use of sports therapy and said that it was important for him in his revival where he went from a player considering his future to on top of his game. "I can't speak for everyone, but in my scenario it was an important thing to look at. A few years ago I was down on form and I was going home, taking it out on my family and locking myself away. I needed to change some things.

"Seeing a hypnotist got me thinking really positively, which was unbelievable. He changed my career, to be honest. We did a lot of visualisation as well, lifting trophies and things like that.

"Two weeks after starting with him, I went on to win the Masters. He worked with Kyren Wilson before he won the World Snooker Championship, and he also worked with Tom Aspinall before he became UFC heavyweight champion."

"Like you said, with dartitis as well, my hypnotist deals with things like that. I know people who've had dartitis and he's really helped them.

"The way he describes it is that you've got a bucket in your brain and every negative thought goes into that bucket. Eventually it overflows, like any normal bucket would, and that's where your stress, anxiety and dartitis come from.

"The only way of dealing with that is through the REM state. A 40-minute session with my hypnotist is the equivalent of about four-and-a-half hours of sleep, which helps empty the bucket and get rid of those issues."

As ever Luke Littler was touched upon and for Bunting, he doesn't see him reaching the Taylor heights due to the standard being so different. "Personally, I don't think he'll win 16 world titles. I think the standard of player now is a lot better and there are a lot more top players around.

"But he'll certainly win a few more world titles, definitely. He's got age on his side and, as long as he keeps his feet on the floor, he's doing everything right at the moment.

"Like I said, the standard is so high. Everyone is averaging around 100 these days. Gone are the days when you could average 100 and guarantee yourself a tournament win. Now you can average 100 and go out in the first round.

"The standard is incredibly difficult now, and everyone needs to work hard to keep up with these top players."

He also as expected given it is talkSPORT was asked about Liverpool and also England and he spoke about Andoni Iraola becoming new Liverpool manager after leaving Bournemouth.

I like watching the England games when I can. Obviously, I'm a massive Liverpool fan as well and I go to the games when I can. It's just nice to be over here. There are a lot of England fans out here as well and hopefully I can take in some of the atmosphere.

Really happy, yeah. I sort of bit my lip at that question at the time, but I think we needed a manager who plays attacking football and he certainly does that. To play into the hands of players like Florian Wirtz and Rio Ngumoha, who didn't really get much of a chance under Slot, I think a fresh start was needed.

I think he's done a fantastic job with Bournemouth and I think he's going to freshen things up. I think he's got full control of the transfers as well.

I'm really looking forward to seeing what happens over the next few months and I think he's going to be a great fit for Liverpool.