With each passing day, it becomes more evident: Team Liquid is standing at a crossroads. The North American Counter-Strike giant, once the flagship of the Western scene, is now facing a crisis following a disappointing performance at IEM Dallas 2025. In an interview with BLAST.tv, one of the organization’s longest-standing and most consistent players, Jonathan “NAF” Jablonowski, admitted bluntly — the situation is tough, and after the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, major changes might be on the way.
“My form has been terrible” — harsh self-critique from a veteran
NAF started with a brutally honest assessment of himself:
“Obviously, my individual form has been terrible, to say the least. There’s nothing but disappointment, in my opinion.”
This confession hits even harder considering NAF’s status — a player who successfully transitioned from CS:GO to CS2, survived numerous roster overhauls, and repeatedly carried Liquid through some of its toughest times. But this current slump — both personal and team-wide — may be the biggest challenge of his career so far.
A new roster, the same old problem: lack of stability
Liquid’s latest rebuild aimed to inject youth and embrace a European style of play. However, the arrival of NertZ and siuhy hasn’t solved the chemistry issue — instead, the team’s internal dynamic seems fractured. NAF admitted:
“With NertZ and siuhy joining, it’s been hard to find my space in the team. We have five players who all want to shine, but creating room for everyone can be complicated.”
It’s not just about map positions — it’s about psychological roles too: who leads, who clutches, who anchors. When everyone wants to be the star, cohesion suffers. Right now, Liquid has five strong individuals but still lacks a true team identity.
Mental fatigue and internal pressure
This is Liquid’s fifth roster in the past 24 months — and each previous version had a short life span. That pace of change wears down not only the fans, but the players too. In CS2, where teams are still adjusting to new mechanics and strategies, mental stability is essential.
Add to that a string of poor results, pressure from expectations, new players with no historical connection to the brand, and growing skepticism from the community — even veterans like NAF are beginning to show doubt.
BLAST.tv Austin Major — the final shot
NAF pointed to one event that could be the turning point — BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025:
“After the Major, we’ll have a break, and Liquid will decide whether to continue with this lineup or look for something else.”
It will be Liquid’s home Major, in front of a North American audience, adding even more pressure. If the team collapses in the group stage — changes will be inevitable. Behind the scenes, multiple scenarios are being discussed: a return to a full NA-core, a search for a new IGL, or a complete rebuild from scratch.
What’s next for NAF?
While his words sounded self-critical, for many fans, NAF remains the last symbol of the classic Liquid era. His experience, role flexibility, and clutch consistency are still vital parts of the team’s DNA. But if the organization opts for a complete reset, even NAF might be left out. In the worst-case scenario, NAF could become a free agent for the first time since 2018 — a major opportunity for any team to pick up a world-class player with exceptional in-game IQ.
Community reaction: support, concern, and a thirst for change
NAF’s interview with BLAST.tv triggered an instant wave of reactions from the CS community. Comments under the BLASTtv tweet reflect genuine concern for the future of Team Liquid and strong emotional attachments to players like Twistzz and siuhy. Reactions can be grouped into a few major themes:
Many fans outright demanded the return of Twistzz to Liquid or envisioned him rejoining FaZe. Nostalgia for the team’s most stable times is a recurring theme.
@BoemelburgJonas: “@Twistzz back to FaZe”
@Ecks___dee: “Kick them all and bring Twistzz home”
@TKMochyn: “If they wanna keep Twistzz, they should pick broky for reunion, and hope siuhy stays”
@RealJoshannon: “Siuhy, broky, Twistzz, huNter, perfecto”
These fans either want a return to Liquid’s North American identity or the formation of a new “superteam” with elite players.
Others expressed frustration with Liquid’s recent direction, questioning the logic behind mixing players from different regions and styles — especially the poor synergy between siuhy, NertZ, and Twistzz.
@Jkkcsgo: “idk how a team with ultimate, siuhy, twistzz and nertz doesn’t work”
@PsychoLogicalHD: “Just go EU, stop chickening out and keep it 50/50”
@Takkx_S: “EU Liquid and never return to NA”
These comments reflect the loss of a clear identity. Liquid is no longer purely North American, but not fully European either — and that confusion hurts chemistry and expectations.
Another focal point is siuhy’s role as IGL. Some believe he doesn’t fit in Liquid, while others want him picked up by a different team.
@chrinahhaS: “don’t buy sihu plz let G2 get him I beg”
@TKMochyn: “…hope siuhy stays”
These debates show that even single-player decisions — like whether siuhy stays — are seen as crucial for Liquid’s overall future.
Some fans didn’t pick sides, but instead raised valid questions about team-building, planning, and long-term strategy. These reflect a growing lack of faith in the direction Liquid is taking.
@Jkkcsgo: “idk how a team with ultimate, siuhy, twistzz and nertz doesn’t work”
@PsychoLogicalHD: “stop chickening out…”
It all underscores how important NAF still is to the fans — not just as a player, but as an emotional anchor for the team.
NAF’s interview was more than just post-match commentary. It was a signal — a plea to address the real issues that can no longer be covered with generic phrases like “building chemistry” or “trusting the process.” In Austin, Liquid will face a decisive challenge. And the home Major may mark the beginning of a new chapter — for the team, the players, and the fans who still believe.
