Darts fans have expressed concerns about Luke Littler after the teenager lost to Dirk van Duijvenbode at the Flanders Darts Trophy on Sunday.
The 17-year-old went into the clash on a high after a comfortable victory over Jermaine Wattimena 24 hours previously.
Yet Littler struggled to get going on Sunday, with Van Duijvenbode capitalising to go through to the quarter-finals.
Fans on social media have now reacted after the youngster's dreams of a second title in Belgium were ruthlessly dashed.
Luke Littler has been accused of 'giving up' by darts fans following his defeat at the Flanders Darts Trophy in Belgium
PDCDARTS
And some users were alarmed by his flat performance, with one supporter saying: "All respect to Luke but genuinely looked like he gave up."
A second stated: "Littler lost it at then end, hit those 2 treble 3s and the 5s. He was just slinging them at that point. Still class but let it go there."
A third said: "Littler is unpredictable and inconsistent! I hope he has a good manager who will work through these things and help him to be the great force that most of us hope he will be in this game."
JUST IN:Harry Redknapp makes feelings clear on Lee Carsley after national anthem controversy in England win
A fourth opined: "From his performance yesterday to today, littler looked completely uninterested."
Another said: "Waste of time Littler even coming out for that game. Didn’t even look interested."
And a sixth user wrote: "I always route for Littler bit he has to sort his mentality out if he wants to be a force. It's very predictable when he goes behind he'll just chuck it in."
READ MORE: Mike Tyson medical assessment twist emerges ahead of controversial Jake Paul boxing fight
Other fans were unhappy at the criticism being aimed at Littler, however.
One said: "Here come all the keyboard warriors at home about to say that he’s washed and a load of other bulls**t."
And a second defended Littler by saying: "You guys say that literally EVERY time he takes an L lmao."
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
DIRK DISPATCHES LITTLER! 🇳🇱
— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) September 8, 2024
What a performance from Dirk van Duijvenbode!
The Dutchman produces a superb display to progress to a first European Tour quarter-final of 2024!
📺 https://t.co/YyBPPwoMK8 | #ET10
🔜 R Searle v R Smith pic.twitter.com/RfGuhOkVpc
Van Duijvenbode, meanwhile, has spoken out after his win.
He admits Littler still has 'so much more to improve' - and also said the victory has given him a much-needed confidence boost.
"I was so focused," he said.
Luke Littler embraced Dirk van Duijvenbode after his defeat at the Flanders Darts Trophy
PDCDARTS
"I said, 'Dirk, if you want to win this game, you need to be at your best.'
"We’ve never seen a kid like this; he has so much more to improve and he’s already unbeatable.
"I’m still not 100 per cent, and I won’t be this year. But winning these games gives a confidence boost."
