Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Darts, Luke Littler, Michael van Gerwen
Chris Nee
Michael van Gerwen will not have a beer with World Darts Champion Luke Littler before or after their rematch in the Premier League in Liverpool today.
Littler defeated Van Gerwen to win his first world championship in January and the two talkative players have developed an intriguing rivalry since the English teenager burst onto the scene last year.
The pair will face off at the M&S Bank Arena on Night 12, going head to head once more in the quarter-finals of the event.
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In the other quarter-finals, home-town player Stephen Bunting will play Rob Cross, world number one Luke Humphries takes on Nathan Aspinall, and Gerwyn Price meets Chris Dobey.
Whatever happens, Littler – now of legal drinking age in the UK – won't be sitting down to sup with the Dutchman.
'The Nuke' isn't a big beer drinker, by all accounts, but Aspinall told talkSPORT recently that the 18-year-old is partial to a Strongbow Dark Fruits cider.
Regardless, the elusive swift half with three-time world champion Van Gerwen remains off the table.
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Van Gerwen was interviewed by talkSPORT duo Hawksbee & Jacobs and told them that Littler is growing in confidence around the circuit now that he's able to have a drink with his fellow competitors.
"He starts to loosen up a bit, but not in that way," said Mighty Mike, indulging the UK radio hosts with a natter about the nation's favourite young sportsperson.
"I think he starts to talk a little bit more, he interacts a little bit more.
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"He is a good kid with a lot of capability."
So, why the reluctance to have a beer with the young man and welcome him into the world of a frosty one on a warm evening?
"I've never drunk a beer in my life," added Van Gerwen. "It's disgusting."
PDC Premier League Darts Night 12 gets underway in Liverpool at 7.00pm and Littler's headline clash with Van Gerwen could be overshadowed by Bunting, a fiercely proud scouser who'll be looking to put on a show.
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Despite rumours to the contrary, Bunting won't be dipping into Merseybeat or any other local music for a home-town walk-on.