Team Liquid Regain Form in VCT EMEA After Shaky Start
When Team Liquid began their 2024 VCT EMEA journey, few could have predicted just how turbulent the opening weeks would be. Coming off a disappointing finish at Champions 2023 and with key roster changes over the off-season, expectations were cautiously optimistic. However, their early performances were anything but convincing. Disjointed executes, mistimed utility, and underwhelming individual form saw them fall short in matches they were expected to control.
This week, however, something changed. Liquid’s recent victory—one that came not only with a much-needed result but with a polished, composed performance—felt like more than just a group-stage recovery. It looked like the first true indication that this squad is learning to play as a unit.
Redefining the Playbook
The heart of the team’s turnaround lies in its evolving tactical identity. Liquid’s coaching staff, led by Emil “eMIL” Sandgren, made clear adjustments following their sluggish start. In their most recent fixture, map vetoes were more disciplined, compositions better aligned to the current meta, and most importantly, their mid-round structure was tightened significantly.
Rather than relying solely on hero plays or reactive clutches, Liquid began to build rounds patiently—layering utility, trading efficiently, and rotating with conviction. Dom “soulcas” and Elias “Jamppi” Olkkonen, often considered Liquid’s engine room, finally clicked again. The confidence in their reads and the pace of execution suggest that Liquid are regaining the sharpness that once made them such a difficult team to play against.
Nats Anchors the Revival
Perhaps the most significant shift came from the resurgence of Ayaz “nAts” Akhmetshin. Once regarded as one of the finest sentinels in global VALORANT, nAts had struggled to replicate his former dominance since joining Liquid. But in this recent match, he returned to familiar heights—locking down sites, denying space with precision, and showcasing his trademark post-plant awareness.
His presence allowed the rest of the team to operate with more confidence. With one end of the map secured, Liquid could afford to be more proactive elsewhere. That stability, so often absent in their earlier games, made a noticeable difference across all three maps played.
A Long Road Ahead
Despite this renewed momentum, Team Liquid remain a work in progress. They are not yet the finished article, and consistency has eluded them in the past. However, this result and the manner in which it was achieved represent an important step forward.
With the VCT EMEA format demanding both resilience and tactical growth, timing is crucial. Liquid’s reawakening may have arrived just in time. The next few fixtures will be decisive—not only in determining playoff qualification, but in shaping the identity of a roster still defining itself after high expectations and growing pains.
Closing Thoughts
Team Liquid are not just playing to win—they are playing to re-establish trust. Among fans, among analysts, and within their own camp. Their latest showing proved that this team, when focused and aligned, still has the tools to be a serious contender in the EMEA region.
Whether they can maintain that level as the pressure rises remains to be seen.
But for now, they’ve dealt their first real hand of the season. And it was a strong one.