Luke Littler feels he must break Phil Taylor’s records to be considered the best

Luke Littler has conceded that he might one day become the best darts player the world has ever seen, but not until he has eclipsed Phil Taylor’s glittering list of achievements.

World number two Luke Humphries described the 19-year-old world champion as “the greatest darts player that ever lived” after losing to him in the final of the World Masters at the weekend.

Littler was quick to insist that was not the case and that 14-time world champion Taylor would always occupy that elevated status.

However, asked why he felt that was the case as he prepared to launch his bid to regain the BetMGM Premier League title in Newcastle on Thursday evening, where he will face Gian van Veen, the teenager said: “It’s just he is the greatest, unless I go on and win 16 worlds and 16 matchplays.

“Seventeen, get one over him then yes, I’ll be the best. But until someone breaks his records, then he’ll always be the best.”

Speaking at the same event, Humphries qualified his assessment of Littler, but stood by his estimation of his precocious talent.

Asked if his comments on stage in the immediate aftermath of defeat had been fuelled by emotion, Humphries, who takes on Gerwyn Price at the Utilita Arena, said: “Phil having achieved so much, it’s kind of harsh to not call him the greatest, so maybe I used the wrong term.

“But I definitely still stand by the fact he is the most talented darts player ever, not just his ability to throw good darts, it’s his temperament, it’s his way of being so good under pressure and to bounce back, all the credentials.

“But that’s not me saying that I’m going to accept defeat every time. I’m still up for it, still willing to challenge him, still going to push him all the way, but I’ll still stand by that he’s