Luke Littler in defiant answer to Liverpool taunt as he reveals his emotional connection to a late darts legend

Luke Littler returned to the scene of darts’ saddest night to a chorus of boos – but left with Eric Bristow’s swagger in his stride.

Six years ago, Littler was a starry-eyed 11-year-old watching on from the crowd on a Premier League night in Liverpool when the news filtered through that Bristow had died suddenly outside the venue. But Luke the Nuke paid Crafty Cockney’s birthday in the best possible way by winning his third night of the BetMGM Premier League at the M&S Bank arena on Merseyside where Bristow’s death at 60 stunned the nation.

The 17-year-old boy wonder and Manchester United fan brushed off the jeers of a hostile crowd – a reception based on Liverpool and Man United's intense rivalry – to move five points clear at the top. Littler said: “The last time I was here that was the night Eric passed away. I was only 11 and I was up in the stands with my friend.

“The last time I was here he passed away – this time it was his birthday and I’ve won, so it’s nice to mark it with a win. Wayne Mardle (Sky Sports commentator) has always said Eric would have loved to watch me play. Obviously that helped me – because I knew what was coming my way but I enjoyed it.”

Littler knew he would be a prime target for Liverpool fans after he had teased them about the Anfield giant's FA Cup defeat at Old Trafford. And the avid Red Devils supporter poked fun at the home crowd once more, by holding up two fingers and a clenched fist before his walk-on against Gerwyn Price on Thursday night – a reference to Liverpool’s damaging 2-0- defeat in the Merseyside derby against Everton which all but ended their title hopes.

The Warrington wizard added: “It’s just banter and as a United fan you like to see Liverpool as rivals lose.” Littler will next be in action this Saturday evening when he faces Damon Heta on the fifth leg of the European Tour.