Image via Ubisoft
Team Liquid finally electing to make a change to their legendary lineup was one of the most dramatic moments of the entire calendar year. They added Pablo “resetz” Oliveira and Gabriel “AsK” Santos after the Brazilians collapsed in the semifinals of the Mexico Major. After a bit of time, Liquid have been on fire.
If the first couple group stage match results are to be believed, Liquid might be on championship form. It didn’t happen overnight, though. “We had some roster changes and we needed some time to adapt some things,” said Liquid’s superstar Luccas “Paluh” Molina.
Paluh heaps praise on his teammates, new and old, for improving their communication over the past months. However, he’s individually been playing like a man possessed. Paluh is the first player in Siege history to post a +1,000 in kill to death differential, and might be the holder of a few new records when things are all said and done.
Liquid have only dropped one map so far in the tournament – a barnburner, max overtime Kafe bout with CYCLOPS Athlete Gaming. If they defeat FaZe Clan later in the tournament, the Brazilians will be perfect in matches throughout the group stage. They’ve passed the group of death test with flying colors.
Next up for Liquid is obtaining that elusive title, a distinction they haven’t had since the Pro League Season 7 Finals. Liquid made it to the grand finals of the previous Six Invitational, but have underwhelmed since then in regional play. “It’s a great way to start, right, the first international event for resetz and AsK, we are feeling really confident for the next matches, and we are doing everything we can to prepare for the next ones,” Paluh said.
With one match left, against old rivals and fellow tournament favorites FaZe Clan, Liquid could end their group stage completely perfect. The job isn’t done – Paluh specifically cites DWG KIA as “the team we need to beat,” but it’s still an excellent start.
Fortunately for Liquid, their victory over CAG yesterday locked them into a playoff spot. The rest of the group stage, all they have to worry about is seeding. Their campaign to obtain the world champion crown and lift the hammer will begin in earnest during the playoff stage.