Luke Littler says seeing Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp talk about him was just another day in his crazy life.
Klopp compared his young band of players, who helped win the Carabao Cup last week and then earn a quarter-final spot in the FA Cup, to the 17-year-old, who the German described as the “new darts sensation”.
Littler, who advanced to the last 32 of the UK Open on Friday night, burst onto the scene at the World Championship over Christmas.
His historic run to the final saw him transcend the sport and become a global star, so seeing Klopp reference him was nothing out of the ordinary.
Littler, a staunch Manchester United fan, said: “I actually watched the final and the young lads are doing well, but if he wants to compares them to me then he can.
“I actually woke up and someone told me that he compared me to his young lads, so I went online and watched the video.
“I gave it a like and went on to the next video. That was literally another day in my life.”
I don’t mind who I play. It is what I dreamed of, playing in front of thousands every week, I just take it in my stride
Luke Littler
Littler is gunning for his first major title since joining the main PDC Tour at the start of the year and he looked the part in his opening match at Butlin’s in Minehead.
He averaged over 100 and produced four 100-plus finishes, including a ‘Big Fish’, as he beat James Wade 10-7.
With Michael van Gerwen surprisingly crashing out, Littler is now the favourite to win.
“I have not even thought about it, but I know if my game is there every match then I don’t see why I can’t win it,” he said.