Incredible throwback picture emerges of Luke Littler after playing against World Darts Championship final opponent Luke Humphries when he was just 12… as World No 1 says he’ll ‘probably have to play the game of my life’ to beat him

Luke Littler will face a familiar opponent in the final of the World Darts Championship in Luke Humphries – and will be looking for revenge for the defeat he suffered in a pub four years ago against the current world number 1.

Littler was the story of the tournament after a dazzling run to the final at the age of 16, beating former champions Raymond van Barneveld and Rob Cross in a fairytale performance at Ally Pally.

The teenager defeated Cross 6-2 in his semi-final to set up a meeting with Humphries, who defeated Scott Williams in the second semi-final on Tuesday night.

And it won't be the first time Littler has faced Humphries, with an incredible throwback photo recalling a meeting between the two in 2019 – when the 16-year-old sensation was just 12 and his opponent was 24.

In a photo posted to his Twitter account, Littler stands next to Humphries after they played against each other in a match on Hayling Island.

Humphries defeated Scott Williams to reach the final of the World Darts Championship

Luke Littler is the story of the competition who burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old

“Lost to Luke Humphries in the quarter finals of the Hayling Island competition last night, missed a few chances to go through and a bull for a 164 but gave him a great match,” Littler wrote on social media in November 2019.

'Two Youth competitions today Under 14 and Under 18 will hopefully make it to the final on stage tomorrow.'

He now has the chance for redemption on one of the sport's biggest stages, in what would be a stunning way to get revenge.

It also shows how far both have come in such a short time. Littler is now the name on the lips of most sports fans, while Humphries arrived at this year's tournament as the favorite after a fantastic year on the circuit.

And after eliminating Williams with a 6-0 whitewash, Humphries quickly turned his attention to Wednesday's opponent.

'I've seen the way he plays many times. “When you get on this stage it can be a lot harder, but he's just proven he has a lot of bottle,” he said.

'Nothing will faze him. If he plays like he did tonight, he won't be fazed at all tomorrow, so I'll probably have to play the game of my life.

'I'll probably have to play like that again to have a chance of beating him.

'I know what awaits me and what the task is. “I have to play my best tomorrow, but I hope I make him play his best too and hopefully we give the fans one of the best world finals we've ever seen.”

Littler has defeated two former WDC champions on his way to the final in his tournament debut

Humphries admitted that world champion would last 'forever' if he could beat Littler

'It was amazing. I never thought I would become number 1 in the world. That's a special feeling. And to do it in style.

'I am very happy with this performance. But being world number 1 can last a few months, the world champion is forever, so I have a very tough task against Luke tomorrow.”

“I felt great yesterday and in the practice room I felt better. I've hit some crazy 180s. I saw the first semi-final and it was a fantastic match, so it's really nice to put in a performance like that.'

Both players have secured a minimum fee of £200,000 to reach the showpiece event, although one of them will walk away with as much as £500,000 if he can come out on top at Alexandra Palace.