The Staff Liquid CS roster could also be again on a LAN stage, however it’s removed from true restoration

2025 has not been a profitable yr for the Staff Liquid CS roster. Crushing losses have accentuated months of disappointing performances, and they don’t appear capable of get better. 

Nonetheless, Staff Liquid has lastly managed to qualify for a Counter-Strike LAN. Their efficiency within the BLAST Bounty Fall Closed Qualifier has landed them a Playoffs slot, the place they’ll play on LAN on the BLAST Area Studios. Indicators of life could also be rising, however the roster is much from correct restoration. 

What went mistaken with the Staff Liquid CS roster?

Staff Liquid has not skilled Counter-Strike success for a very long time. Their final event win was technically in a qualifier, they usually haven’t positioned larger than Third-Fifth since November 2024.

It is a stark distinction to groups on the prime of the VRS (Valve Regional Standings) in 2025. Staff Vitality, for instance, has cemented itself as a constant favorite on Counter-Strike betting websites due to quite a few title wins.

Extra not too long ago, the Staff Liquid CS roster suffered a humiliating defeat to an academy crew. 

In response to their 1-2 defeat to Virtus.professional Academy, gamers expressed the necessity to re-evaluate their playstyle and strategy to competitors.

In an interview with Pley.gg, the Staff Liquid coach, Viktor ‘flashie’ Tamás Bea admitted that he may see that the roster was affected by “an absence of system and an absence of fundamentals.”

Why is BLAST Bounty not an assured signal of restoration?

Some would possibly interpret the Staff Liquid CS roster’s qualification for the BLAST Bounty Fall Playoffs as an indication that they’re on the mend. Nonetheless, it’s an unreliable measure for restoration. 

The BLAST Bounty format is extremely distinctive. Decrease-ranked groups choose higher-ranked opponents to assert their “bounty.” Defeating excessive VRS groups will increase the sum of money the low-ranked groups can declare.

Groups qualify for the LAN Playoffs by way of the Closed Qualifier. This qualifier solely has two single-elimination rounds. Due to this fact, Staff Liquid solely needed to defeat two groups to make the Playoffs.

These two groups have been BIG and FURIA. BIG has additionally seen little important success within the 2025 season to date, and is a crew that Staff Liquid ought to simply defeat on paper. 

FURIA, nevertheless, is a extra spectacular win for the Staff Liquid CS roster.

Throughout the 2025 season, FURIA has contributed to some high-profile eliminations. In reality, the Brazilian crew despatched residence each Staff Falcons and G2 throughout IEM Cologne’s Group Stage. 

Nonetheless, one hard-earned best-of-three victory just isn’t sufficient to exhibit full restoration. 

Staff Liquid is within the BLAST Bounty Fall LAN Playoffs with Staff Vitality, MOUZ, Staff Spirit, The MongolZ, Aurora Gaming, Virtus.professional, and Astralis. 

Demonstrating that their win over FURIA wasn’t a fluke will likely be an uphill battle. 

Hannah is a author specialising within the esports, gaming, and know-how sectors. Working for shops reminiscent of Dot Esports, Esports Insider, and naturally ENUK, she has developed a love for wider esports and Apex Legends, though it might by no means surpass her drive to passionately beat her mates in each sport of Mariokart. You’ll have seen her at varied esports and gaming occasions, together with ESI London, EGX, Uncover: Esports and plenty of League of Legends watch events.