Phil Taylor has urged Luke Littler not to ignite a rivalry with Michael Van Gerwen.
Two of the biggest superstar names in the sport have been pitted against each other in a blockbuster showdown in the opening round of the World Matchplay on Monday night.
Fireworks are promised to unfold on the stage at Winter Gardens in Blackpool, with the 17-year-old Littler confident of progressing against the Dutch darting legend.
Prior to their clash, Littler has been reminding fans on social media of his previous wins over ‘MVG’ including during their recent Premier League campaign.
But 16-time World Matchplay winner Taylor believes Littler needs to focus on his visit to the oche as opposed to any back-and-forth build-up antics.
He said: “I’d love to see Luke Littler do well and his first-round game with Michael is worthy of the final.
“But young Luke is winding up on social media about all the places where he’s beaten Van Gerwen in the past – and that might make him angry.
“If I was in Luke’s shoes, I’d keep quiet and let him think about it, let him do the worrying. But with Michael, if you poke the bear he might get angry.
“They’re both fantastic players and Michael has won it three times already.
“But there’s no doubt there are players who want to bring Luke down a peg or two.
“Rivalry is great for darts because it sells tickets and it makes viewers tune in on Sky.
“Like people wanted to watch Benn and Eubank fight but the kid has got to be careful.
“Don’t get carried away, go up there and do your job, take home the prize money, pay the taxman his share and enjoy it.”
Littler has won several tournaments since his induction on the PDC Tour after making the World Darts Championship final in January.
His arrival has seen the darting world question if the teenage sensation can replicate the dominance of ‘The Power’ for years to come in this era.
‘The Nuke’ has recently taken a break to recharge his batteries after winning the Premier League, and came back in two shock defeats at the recent Players Championship.
But he will no doubt step up his game as he looks to make a statement on the stage at the iconic venue.
His friend and training partner Nathan Aspinall has suggested that the players are currently pulling together to try and increase their quality to prevent him from prevailing regularly.
He told talkSPORT.com: “I wouldn’t say trying to impress, I think they just want to smash him.
“I think he is winning everything so we have to get to his level or it is just going to keep happening.
“I think it has given us a kick up the backside, it was the same guys all the time and now Luke is winning the Premier League and everything.
“We are like, ‘he’s 17 mate, we need to put him back in his place’. I think that’s what a lot of the players think.
“Or at least I know one of them that thinks of that. I think it has helped bring the standard up too.”
News Summary:
- ‘Don’t poke the bear’ – Phil Taylor delivers Luke Littler warning over Michael Van Gerwen ‘rivalry’ ahead of World Matchplay blockbuster
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