Phil Taylor advises Luke Littler to curtail social media use ahead of Premier League match
Phil Taylor has urged Luke Littler to step away from social media and dedicate more time to training as the teenager prepares for tonight’s Premier League fixture in Liverpool, reports BritPanorama.
The former world champion believes the 19-year-old’s online activity is only antagonising spectators further following recent hostile receptions. Littler has faced jeers from crowds during his previous two Premier League appearances, a situation that intensified after his confrontation with Dutch player Gian van Veen at the Manchester event three weeks ago.
The dispute with Van Veen seems to have turned sections of the audience against Littler, with supporters voicing their disapproval each time he steps to the oche. Taylor maintains that Littler’s continued presence on social media platforms is only exacerbating the situation, suggesting the young athlete is inadvertently fueling the negative atmosphere.
“He needs to get off social media put that phone down and just don’t keep posting things as a reaction,” Taylor said on the Double Tops podcast. The darts legend, who employs others to manage his own social accounts, recommended that the Warrington player redirect his energy toward practice rather than sparring with online critics.
Despite his remarkable natural talent, Taylor questioned Littler’s commitment to preparation. While recounting an exhibition event where he found Littler engrossed in his phone for approximately two and a half hours, Taylor noted that his opponent, Luke Humphries, was diligently working on his game during that time. When asked whether he intended to warm up, Littler simply declined, stating, “nah.” He then went on to beat Humphries 8-1, a result Taylor described as seemingly “impossible.”
However, Taylor observed that the strained crowd reactions have begun to affect Littler’s performance. “It does seem to have had an impact because he isn’t playing as well,” he noted. Currently, Littler sits second in the Premier League table with 24 points, while Jonny Clayton leads the standings.
“Eventually it will stop but I think, at the moment, the thing I’d say to Luke is just go and play out of your skin,” Taylor advised. “If you do that, the crowd will turn and be back on your side.”
As Littler gears up for the match, the balance between social media engagement and performance clarity remains a pivotal challenge for young athletes navigating the competitive darts landscape.
