World Champion Luke Littler says retaining his Premier League Darts title "would mean everything" as he prepares to face Michael van Gerwen in Belfast.

Luke Humphries wins opening night after Michael van Gerwen beats Luke Littler in epic - Littler beaten despite huge average before Humphries marches past Chris Dobey in final

Luke Littler has congratulated Michael van Gerwen after the 18-year-old lost to the Dutchman on the first night of the Premier League Darts on Thursday. The teenager had entered the showdown hoping to lay down a marker as he looks to win the competition for the second year on the trot.

Luke Humphries believes Luke Littler is still the man to beat in the Premier League this year, despite the teenager losing to Michael van Gerwen on Thursday night. Littler had gone into the showdown hoping to get his title defence off to a storming start,

Luke Littler is on the crest of a wave as he defends his Premier League Darts title. But as one rival reminded the 18-year-old, "he's not a baby anymore."

There are plenty of reasons to think Littler will waltz to glory. He has the highest competitive average of any selected player over the past six months – 98.64 – and has won

Cool hand blew Chris Dobey away in the final after seeing off Michael van Gerwen while Littler was emptied early doors

Michael van Gerwen ended Luke Littler's Premier League title defence in Belfast, securing a 6-5 quarter-final victory despite the teenager's remarkable 113.91 average. The clash at the SSE Arena saw the defending champion fail to secure any points in his opening game of this year's tournament.