Put that phone down – Phil Taylor urges Luke Littler to limit social media use

By Jonathan Veal, Press Association

16-time world champion Phil Taylor has told Luke Littler to “put that phone down” in order to curb the boo boys.

Littler has been booed during his last two Premier League outings after his spat with Gian van Veen in Manchester three weeks ago and it is set to continue when the teenager takes to the oche in Liverpool on Thursday.

Taylor believes Littler’s social media presence is baiting fans further and says the teenager should head to the practice room instead.

“I think it’s something [crowds booing] that he’s got to learn – he’s only young,” Taylor told the Double Tops podcast.

“I don’t think Luke is a villain by any means. Him not playing quite as well is great for the game, but I really like him and I understand what he’s going through.

“If he asked me for advice, there are a few things I’d say to him, but I’ll only do that if he wants it.

“He needs to get off social media – put that phone down and just don’t keep posting things as a reaction. I have social media, but I have people to post for me.

“I was always told, ‘whatever you do, don’t have an opinion on social media’.

“What I’m trying to say is you can’t win on there, so don’t try to.

“He needs to practise more; he literally does not practise.

“We did an exhibition together. I was there as the guest speaker and Luke sat there for about two and a half hours on his phone.

“He was playing Luke Humphries, who was practising like mad for it, but he was there just playing on his phone.

“I asked him if he was going to practise and he went, ‘nah’. He then goes and beats Humphries 8-1!

“I was thinking, ‘this is impossible’… but he did it.

“For Luke to do what he’s doing with so little practice shows the amount of talent he’s got.”

Taylor reckons Littler’s form has dropped since his fall-out with the Dutchman and he puts that down to the crowd reaction.

“It does seem to have had an impact because he isn’t playing as well,” he added.

“Eventually it will stop but I think, at the moment, the thing I’d say to Luke is just go and play out of your skin.

“If you do that, the crowd will turn and be back on your side.”

Taylor was asked the inevitable question of whether Littler can overtake his tally of 16 world titles.