Gerwyn Price referenced snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan as he hit out at the Premier League Darts organisers after beating Luke Humphries in the final of night 12 in Liverpool. It came just a week after ‘The Iceman’ was scathing about conditions at the last meeting in Rotterdam, claiming the moisture in the air was affecting his darts in his defeat to Nathan Aspinall.

After his victory at the M&S Arena, Price was asked about his recent rant. He doubled down on his criticisms of the Dutch venue and implied the arena wasn’t fit to host snooker or darts. He said: “I am not going to speak about last week but when the conditions are good and it’s a fair game, I play some good darts.

“Sometimes I throw my toys out of the pram when things don’t go my way but I had a reason last week. We don’t deserve to play in those conditions.

“They say we have to play in Rotterdam every year but surely they can find a venue where it is fair for everyone. People say it’s the same for every player, it’s not. Some will throw heavier darts, longer stems, longer flights…

“Look, if you had the World Snooker Championship there now, lift a leg up one end, and down on the other end, I’m sure Ronnie O’Sullivan wouldn’t be happy with that.”

The overall win increases Price’s chances of making finals night at The O2. He’s now risen above Aspinall and gone third in the table, three points clear of fifth-placed Michael van Gerwen.

Price, the 2021 world champion, averaged 104.43 on the night and held his nerve in the final to overcome Humphries. Leading 5-3, he produced a poor leg to let the world No.1 back into it but then held his throw to seal victory, needing just one dart at double 20.

“When I’m on my game I am the best in the world,” he added. “I’m just a little inconsistent. If I keep pushing forward, there’s no reason why I can’t win the Premier League this season.”