Team Liquid has long been recognized as a cornerstone of competitive esports, representing excellence across myriad gaming titles. Established in 2000 in the Netherlands, the organization initially focused on StarCraft but later ventured into the competitive landscape of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) in 2015. Since then, Team Liquid’s Counter-Strike team has evolved significantly, leaving an indelible mark on the professional CS:GO scene. From roster revamps and landmark victories to hard-fought battles in major championships, Team Liquid has continually pushed the boundaries of professional Counter-Strike, building a legacy to inspire fans and players alike.
The Origins of Team Liquid’s CS:GO Division
Team Liquid announced its entrance into the CS:GO competitive scene in January 2015 by acquiring the former roster of Denial eSports. This initial lineup featured seasoned North American players such as Damian “daps” Steele, Keith “NAF” Markovic, Eric “adreN” Hoag, Nicholas “nitr0” Cannella, and Jacob “FugLy” Medina. While the team showed potential, their early performances struggled to reach the competitive heights needed to dominate international CS:GO tournaments.
By March 2015, Team Liquid began fine-tuning its roster, replacing NAF with Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski. This roster adjustment hinted at the organization’s commitment to building a world-class team. Despite incremental progress, Liquid’s early years in CS:GO were a blend of underwhelming results and glimpses of promise at smaller tournaments.
Notable Roster Evolutions
2016 – A Breakthrough Year
In 2016, Team Liquid witnessed a pivotal year marked by roster experiments and notable progress. Headlining this period was the team’s recruitment of Ukranian sensation Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev. Known for his unparalleled mechanical skill and high-fragging capability, s1mple brought tremendous firepower to the squad. Alongside key players such as nitr0, Hiko, jdm64, and EliGE, Liquid showcased significant promise on the international stage.
Their efforts culminated in a historic second-place finish at ESL One Cologne 2016. This milestone was particularly significant as Team Liquid became the first-ever North American team to reach the finals of a CS:GO Major. Although they fell to the formidable SK Gaming in the grand finals, their performance cemented Liquid’s place in competitive CS:GO history.
2017-2018 – Searching for Stability
Team Liquid spent the following two years refining its roster but faced challenges achieving consistent results. While the team secured some regional trophies, such as second place in ESL Pro League Season 5 – North America, they struggled to maintain momentum during international appearances. Disappointments at events like the ELEAGUE Major: Atlanta 2017 (9-11th place) and ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018 (12-14th place) made evident the need for change.
During this transitional period, Liquid signed high-impact players, solidifying the long-term presence of talents like EliGE while pairing them with experienced coaches such as Luis “peacemaker” Tadeu to elevate team cohesion. Despite these efforts, championship success continued to elude them at global stages.
2019 – Team Liquid’s Golden Era
The year 2019 marked a transformative chapter in Liquid’s history, characterized by the rise of arguably their most dominant roster to date. The lineup, consisting of nitr0, EliGE, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken, NAF, and Jake “Stewie2K” Yip, became a force to reckon with, heralding what fans now call Liquid’s “Golden Era.”
One of the team’s crowning achievements in 2019 was winning the Intel Grand Slam. Liquid seized this $1 million award by capturing victory at four premier tournaments within a span of just 63 days, including the ESL Pro League Season 9 Finals and DreamHack Masters Dallas. These extraordinary performances established Liquid as the dominant team of that year, briefly surpassing Astralis, who had otherwise defined the era.
However, breaking Astralis’s dominance at the Majors remained a difficult obstacle. Liquid frequently ran into Astralis during key playoff matches in tournaments like the FACEIT Major: London 2018, where they were eliminated in the semifinals. Regardless, Liquid’s dominance at non-major tournaments earned them international acclaim and bolstered their reputation as a premier CS:GO team.
Team Liquid’s Historically Notable Rosters
- 2015 Roster: daps, NAF, adreN, nitr0, FugLy
- 2016 Roster: Hiko, s1mple, nitr0, jdm64, EliGE
- 2019 Roster (Golden Era): nitr0, EliGE, Twistzz, NAF, Stewie2K
Present Roster:
Roland “ultimate” Tomkowiak – The Polish AWP’er has taken over the “Big Green” at Liquid in 2024.
Keith “NAF” Markovic – Born on June 14, 1997, NAF is a veteran of the North American CS scene and one of the most respected players in the community.- Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken – Twistzz is known for his exceptional aim and versatility in-game, making him one of the most sought-after riflers in the competitive scene.
Justin “jks” Savage – One of the few Australians who has managed to break through on the international stage.
Guy “NertZ” Iluz – Superb performances for both ENCE and Heroic secured the Israeli a contract with Liquid at the start of 2025.
Performance in Major CS Championships
🥈ESL One Cologne
🥉MLG Columbus 2016
🥉FACEIT Major 2018
Although Team Liquid’s CS:GO journey has been filled with ups and downs, their history at prestigious Major tournaments reveals their resilience and ambition:
- ESL One Cologne 2016: Finals, lost to SK Gaming
- ELEAGUE Major: Atlanta 2017: 9-11th place
- ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018: 12-14th place
- FACEIT Major: London 2018: Semifinalists, eliminated by Astralis
- IEM Katowice Major 2019: Group Stage Exit
Memorable Tournaments and Results
🏆Intel Grand Slam Season 2 – 1,000,000
🏆ESL Pro League Season 9 – $250,000
🥈BLAST Premier: World Final – $250,000
Beyond Major championships, Liquid has delivered stirring performances in other notable tournaments. Some of their most memorable finishes include:
- cs_summit 2 (2018): Champions (defeated Cloud9 and SK Gaming)
- StarSeries Season 4 (2018): Reached the semifinals
- ESL Pro League Season 7 Finals (2018): Runner-up, lost to Astralis
- ESL One New York 2018: Runner-up, lost to mousesports
Liquid FAQs – Key Topics About Team Liquid’s CS:GO Team
What is Team Liquid’s history in Counter-Strike?
Team Liquid entered the CS:GO scene in 2015, acquiring the ex-Denial eSports roster. Over the years, they have built a legacy as one of the most recognized teams in professional Counter-Strike.
Who are the current players in Team Liquid CS:GO?
The current roster includes NertZ, NAF, Twistzz, jks, and ultimate, combining experience with tactical innovation.
What was Team Liquid’s best Major performance?
Liquid’s standout Major performance was their second-place finish at ESL One Cologne 2016, where they made history as the first North American team to reach a Major final.
Has Team Liquid ever won the Intel Grand Slam?
Yes, in 2019, Team Liquid achieved the Intel Grand Slam, winning four premier tournaments in just 63 days to secure the $1 million prize.
Which players defined Team Liquid’s Golden Era?
Nitr0, EliGE, Twistzz, NAF, and Stewie2K formed the core of Liquid’s “Golden Era” in 2019.
What are Team Liquid’s rivals in CS:GO?
Liquid has cultivated intense rivalries with teams like Astralis, MIBR, and FaZe Clan over the years.
When did Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev play for Liquid?
S1mple briefly played for Liquid in 2016, showcasing his extraordinary skills during their run to the ESL One Cologne 2016 final.
How does Team Liquid perform at non-major tournaments?
Liquid has historically excelled in non-major events, winning tournaments like the cs_summit 2 and DreamHack Masters Dallas 2019.
Who is the longest-serving player in Liquid’s CS:GO history?
Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski was at Liquid from 2015-2023, making him one of its longstanding core players.
What distinguishes Liquid’s gameplay style?
Team Liquid’s gameplay reflects a balanced approach, blending aggressive strategies with calculated tactical precision, often spearheaded by their star players like EliGE and NAF.
