'The Nuke' beat Belgian Dimitri Van den Bergh in a 6-4 come-from-behind victory to set up a rematch with Van Gerwen just three weeks after the World Championship final.
"I wanted to go three or four up, but Dimi played well to get back to 2-2," Littler said after the match.
Asked if he was ready for tomorrow's match against Van Gerwen, who's playing just 13 minutes away from his hometown of Vlijmen, Littler answered cautiously.
"As soon as that winning went in I knew what was coming tomorrow, but let's expect the worst."
Littler had to come back from 4-3 and a break down in order to beat Van den Bergh and did so after upping his game in the latter stages of the match once again.
"I had to," said Littler. "Dimitri was behind be the whole way, but he had to fall asleep and I had to find those other gears."
Van Gerwen beat Dirk van Duijvenbode convincingly with 6-1 and gave his fellow Dutchman just one shot at a checkout all match.
With the crowd firmly behind their local hero, Littler has his sights set on one goal.
"Obviously I'd like to get another win and progress to the semi-final, but I think Michael will be thinking that he wants revenge, especially in his backyard," said Littler.
"It'd be a good thing to beat him in his own backyard, winning that game and guaranteeing myself in the semi-final."