Michael van Gerwen has revealed the new nickname he's given Luke Littler amid their intriguing Premier League rivalry.
Littler has been in sensational form this season, with the 17-year-old winning 18 matches to sit five points clear of Luke Humphries at the top of the table.
Van Gerwen had entered the tournament hoping to win the prize for the eighth time.
As things stand, however, the Dutchman is only just ahead of Michael Smith in fourth.
Luke Littler has been given a new nickname by darts rival Michael van Gerwen
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Littler and Van Gerwen's rivalry is only just getting started, with the two men meeting eight times in the Premier League this season.
Each darts star has won four of those contests.
And Van Gerwen has now revealed he prefers calling Littler 'Kebab Boy' instead of his usual moniker, 'The Nuke'.
Explaining why, via The Sun, he said: “We are always egging each other on and that’s what I always call him.
“(My nickname?) I don’t know but he doesn’t say it yet I think. I’m twice that boy’s age, right?
“We just have a good relationship, but real conversations we haven’t had.
“I sometimes ask him something, it’s always darts-related.
"So should I start talking politics with a 17-year-old guy?
“If you ask him about Man United, he knows everything.
"That’s a generation gap.”
Littler has now won three nights of action from a possible 13.
His latest victory came with the teenager beating Rob Cross to extend his lead over Humphries at the top of the Premier League table.
And Littler was delighted with the win in Liverpool, despite being booed by some fans prior due to his love of Manchester United.
"I knew what was coming this week and I was building up to it," he said.
"I always engage with the crowd and the semi-final I was playing with complete freedom.
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Luke Littler and Michael van Gerwen have a growing rivalry
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"I just felt comfortable tonight. I knew what was coming and I was glad to win.
"It's been looking tight [for the play-off places] the last few weeks but I'm glad to win and be clear of it.
"I'm happy to push myself away from the other people but I know it's going to be tight for the other bunch."
When asked if he could become the 'new' Eric Bristow, he added: “We’ll have to see in the years to come.
"The last time I was here that was the night Eric passed away. I was only 10 or 11.
Luke Littler currently sits top of the Premier League table
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“I was up in the stands with my friend. There’s a picture on my phone.
"It’s nice to win. The last time I was here he passed away, today it’s his birthday and I’ve won.
“Obviously it helped me tonight, I knew what was coming my way and I enjoyed it.
"Eric, I watched a few of his games back and Wayne (Mardle) has always said Eric would loved to have watch me play."
