Man Utd fan Luke Littler pokes fun at Liverpool's woeful defeat against Atalanta

Luke Littler took the time to poke fun at Liverpool's misfortunes just half an hour before facing Michael van Gerwen in Thursday evening's Premier League Darts final.

The avowed Manchester United fan was looking to pick up a hat-trick of victories after claiming his first win two weeks ago in Belfast.

Last week, Littler bested Van Gerwen in the quarter-finals before despatching close friend Nathan Aspinall in the semi-finals at Manchester's AO Arena - and going on to win his second consecutive evening in a barnstorming final versus Gerwyn Price.

But the football aficionado didn't take long to ponder his second-ever win, saying in his interview afterwards that he was delighted to have claimed victory as he had just 'watched Man United concede two in two minutes (against Chelsea)!'

Again keeping an eye on the night's match action while in competition himself, Littler couldn't resist a pointed jab at his side's loathed rivals on social media, minutes before stepping up to the oche.

'Oh dear (monkey covering eyes emoji),' Littler captioned a graphic of the 3-0 scoreline in the Reds' Europa League clash with Serie A side Atalanta.

The darts prodigy had just moments earlier pulled off a 6-5 semi-final victory against world No 1 Luke Humphries.

Liverpool's Anfield may have brought a smile to a number of Manchester United-supporting faces, with Jurgen Klopp's team collapsing in spectacular fashion at home.

Just one matchday after the side's Premier League title hopes were dented by Erik ten Hag's players in their 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, Liverpool put on a dismal home showing as they were exposed by Atalanta's hungry and energetic play.

Goals from former West Ham outcast Gianluca Scamacca and a late third from Mario Pasalic have given the Europa League hopefuls everything to do on their return trip to Bergamo next week.

Littler's social media gloating may have been a little premature, however, with the 17-year-old going on to lose his third final in Birmingham to Van Gerwen.

The teenage sensation broke throw twice in the early stages of the contest, but with neither player making big scores, the Premier League Darts title defender fought back and claimed the 6-3 victory.

Despite failing to pull off a quick trio of victories, Littler remains at the top of the table on 26 points, two points clear of World Championship rival Humphries.

The debutant looks confident of making the play-offs at London's O2 Arena with just five match nights left to complete.