Luke Littler is the most talented player of all-time – but I can still beat him

Luke Humphries has stood by his claim that Luke Littler is the ‘most talented darts player ever’.

However, the former world champion is adamant he can still beat the teenage darts sensation.

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Littler claimed an 11th PDC premier event title at the World Masters last Sunday by beating Humphries in the final.

It leaves the 19-year-old just one victory away from completing a career Grand Slam by lifting the European Championship.

Following their showdown in Milton Keynes, Humphries lauded his rival as the ‘greatest darts player that’s ever lived’.

Littler has already won back-to-back PDC World Darts Championships and ascended to world No.1.

The Nuke did so as the youngest player ever to achieve both feats having only turned 19 last month.

Is Littler the greatest of all-time?

Humphries was asked about his comments as he joined talkSPORT on Wednesday ahead of the return of the Premier League, which is live on talkSPORT 2.

Speaking to Jim White and Alex Crook, he admitted: “I’m not going to backtrack on that. I think what I meant to have said maybe is he’s the most talented darts player ever.

“I still think that maybe the argument would still stand with Phil (Taylor) as the greatest, of course, with what he achieved.

“But I just think (in terms of) natural, raw talent that he’s got, I think that is, to me, what would make me say he’s the greatest darts player ever.

“It’s just the way he doesn’t ever fold under pressure. He’s always so great and it’s hard to sit here and backtrack and say ‘oh, no, Phil’.

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“Phil is one of the greatest, of course, but I just think with his talent, he’s the most talented darts player.”

However, Cool Hand is far from ready to throw in the towel when it comes to facing Littler on the oche.

The world No.2 added: “That doesn’t mean I can’t beat him, I won’t beat him or I won’t challenge him. But, like I said, he is the most talented darts player in the world.

“I think it’s obvious. Me saying it was kind of just stating the obvious, really, but that doesn’t take anything away from myself thinking I’m just going to lose every game I play against him.

“I ran him close on Sunday and he’s still there to be beaten. I can beat him. I’ve beaten him in major finals before.

“So as much as I was giving him a great compliment, that wasn’t me backing down saying, ‘I’m just going to give you the wins every time’.

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“I’m still up for trying to test him every week.”

Humphries remains the only player to beat Littler in a ranked PDC major final after his victories at the PDC World Darts Championship and Players Championship Finals in 2024.

However, it has been nine months since his last win over the teenager.

Littler has won four straight meetings between the pair since losing last year’s Premier League final in May.

His run of victories includes the finals of the World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and World Masters.

When are Humphries and Littler playing next?

They could renew their rivalry as early as Thursday night as the Premier League gets underway in Newcastle.

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Humphries takes on Gerwyn Price in the quarter-finals, with Littler meeting Gian van Veen in a replay of their recent PDC World Darts Championship final.

However, the opening night bracket means Humphries and Littler must both make the final if they are to face off this week.

Fans will not have to wait long to see them play each other if they fail to do so, though.

The pair are set to clash in the quarter-finals on night two in Antwerp on February 12.