Luke Littler warned to ‘never’ repeat what he did in Premier League darts final defeat to Michael van Gerwen

LUKE LITTLER suffered even more heartbreak at the hands of Michael van Gerwen when he lost in the Berlin Premier League final earlier this week.

Littler was so close to taking home the first place prize with the teen sensation having match darts against the Dutchman.

ReutersLuke Littler suffered more heartbreak as he lost in his Premier League final to Michael van Gerwen[/caption]

GettyWayne Mardle has warned Littler not to repeat a mistake that could be to blame for the loss[/caption]

But despite a great chance to win his first ever Premier League event, Littler was unable to get it over the line.

And former darts star Wayne Mardle seems to think he knows why the 17 year old fell short.

Littler paused before throwing his final two darts and Mardle has suggested that’s what put him off – leading to him missing.

The youngster had set himself up with just 20 to check out after he hit the treble 20 with his previous shot.

But with two darts left to throw, Littler stopped back from the Oche and took a moment to compose himself – totalling nine seconds before he took aim again.

He even threw a ghost dart to prepare himself, but it wasn’t enough with both his following shots coming the wrong side of the wire for his double 10 target.

Van Gerwen then took advantage and checked out on 25 to win the match and night two of the Premier League.

Mardle took to X after the event to warn Littler to never make the same mistake again.

He wrote: “Never pause, unless you absolutely have to.”

Sky Sports commentator and three-time world champion Jon Part added: “Well I don’t know if the big pause really helped [Littler] there.”

Littler now has to shake off the loss – which is his second in a final to MVG – and focus on next week’s Premier League event.

Night three takes place closer to home with the eight darts superstars coming face to face in Glasgow.

SKY SPORTSLittler set himself up for a double 10 checkout after hitting a treble 20[/caption]

SKY SPORTSThe teenager looked nervous as he took a step back to compose himself[/caption]

SKY SPORTSHe even threw a ghost dart to practice[/caption]

SKY SPORTSThe pause didn’t work as Littler threw his next two darts the wrong side of the wire[/caption]

SKY SPORTSThe youngster was gutted as Michael van Gerwen went on to win after his mistake[/caption]