Wayne Mardle and Mark Webster look at Luke Littler’s TV rating match stats and the way they examine to Michael van Gerwen’s unimaginable numbers again in 2017.
Van Gerwen was on the peak of his powers through the 2016-17 season. The Dutchman had gained 42 consecutive matches in rating majors, nevertheless it all culminated in superb victory on the World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace.
Nevertheless, Littler is on the right track to not solely match MVG’s achievements eight years in the past, however smash it, having already change into the youngest world champion in historical past.
Van Gerwen ended a outstanding season with victory over Gary Anderson to safe his third world title in 2017.
At that time, ‘Mighty Mike’ held each single main rating title in skilled darts. Requested what retains him motivated, he stated: “The best medicine for when something doesn’t go well is to win tournaments. I feel absolutely phenomenal.”
In a fairly unbelievable season, Van Gerwen dominated darts by profitable the Masters, UK Open, World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts, European Championship and Gamers Championship Finals.
He additionally collected the World Sequence Finals title in addition to profitable his second Premier League crown.
There is a lengthy method to go but, however Littler could have his sights set on usurping Van Gerwen at his peak in what may very well be a 12 months to recollect.
‘The Nuke’ gained the worlds on the age of 17 years and 347 days with a dominant victory over MVG in January earlier than clinching the UK Open for the primary time in March, beating James Wade within the last.
{The teenager} from Warrington has already gained the Grand Slam of Darts in Wolverhampton however he shall be eyeing victory on the World Matchplay and World Grand Prix later this 12 months, which you’ll be able to watch reside on Sky Sports activities.
Mardle: Littler’s stats are mind-blowing
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Have a look again at the most effective moments of Littler’s profession up to now…
Wayne Mardle examines why Littler may probably blow Van Gerwen and the good Phil Taylor’s achievements out of the water if the 18-year-old goes on to make historical past in 2025.
“It’s ridiculous what anyone does in their first year. Rob Cross was incredible [in 2018], but the stats are just mind-blowing, but what stands out here is the tournament win percentage,” defined Mardle on Sky Sports activities.
“Michael van Gerwen wasn’t playing the [best] players, and same with Phil Taylor, there weren’t many world-class players back when Taylor was dominating. Van Gerwen, there were a few more.
“With Luke, there’s far more, which is why the win proportion is 33. Some think about Van Gerwen to be the most effective participant they’ve ever seen, and it is a comparability that’s on a stage. That’s how good Luke Littler is. We’re evaluating him to, in some folks’s ideas, the most effective participant to have ever performed the sport.
“We know Taylor’s achieved more, but all the record statistics, you look at averages, you look at 180s and double percentages, Van Gerwen holds so many records. Win percentage, that would belong to Phil Taylor, but at 33 per cent, that is so high, even for the great Luke Littler, who’s 18.”
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Check out each of Littler’s Premier League nine-darters throughout spectacular shows in opposition to Michael van Gerwen and Luke Humphries
Mardle admits it is going to be an fascinating watch with Littler dealing with stiff competitors from world No 1 Luke Humphries in addition to the likes of Gerwyn Worth, Michael Smith, Nathan Aspinall, Stephen Bunting, Gary Anderson, Cross and Van Gerwen himself.
“Will he get any better? We don’t know. Does he need to get better? Say he does this for 10 years, 15 years, 20 years, look, it’s going to be interesting to see what happens, but comparing him to someone who we consider to be the best has ever picked up a dart, enough said.”
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Highlights of Littler in opposition to Van Gerwen within the last of the World Darts Championship
The place does the Premier League head subsequent?
The Premier League continues in on the M&S Financial institution Area, Liverpool on Thursday, April 24 as Littler takes on Van Gerwen in a titanic encounter, whereas Luke Humphries faces Nathan Aspinall. Watch Evening 12 of Premier League Darts, in Liverpool, reside on Sky Sports activities Major Occasion and Sky Sports activities+ from 7pm – stream with NOW.
Sky Sports activities will as soon as once more be the house of the Premier League in 2025, with each night time solely reside together with the World Matchplay, World Grand Prix, Grand Slam of Darts and extra! Stream darts and extra high sport with NOW
