Siuhy Joins Team Liquid on Trial: The IGL Fix They Desperately Need?

Team Liquid have officially announced the addition of Kamil "⁠siuhy⁠" Szkaradek on a loan deal from MOUZ, replacing Australian rifler Justin "⁠jks⁠" Savage in the active lineup.

The Polish in-game leader will not only fill jks’ spot, but also take over the IGL duties from Russel "⁠Twistzz⁠" Van Dulken, marking yet another major pivot for the North American organization in their continued effort to return to the Counter-Strike elite.

The deal, which runs through the end of the BLAST.tv Austin Major, will serve as a trial period for siuhy, with Liquid looking to assess his long-term fit before making a permanent commitment to the player.

A New Chapter Begins

Siuhy’s arrival marks Liquid’s latest attempt to find leadership stability after a rocky few months. The team has struggled to post meaningful results since transitioning to Twistzz as in-game leader eight months ago, a move that followed the departure of Danish veteran Casper "⁠cadiaN⁠" Møller.

⁠Jks⁠, who joined Team Liquid during their extensive 2024 rebuild, has now been benched. Despite showing moments of reliability in his supportive role, his performances fell slightly short of expectations, particularly in high-stakes matchups. With his departure, Liquid are clearly betting on siuhy’s leadership capabilities to inspire the resurgence they’ve long been chasing.

Alongside the roster move, Liquid have also parted ways with head coach Torbjørn "⁠mithR⁠" Nyborg, ending a nine-month tenure that failed to meet expectations. Analyst Jay "⁠DeMars DeRover⁠" Li will serve as interim coach while the organization searches for a permanent replacement.

The updated roster will make its debut at PGL Bucharest 2025, starting April 6. Team Liquid's opening match at the tournament will come against Legacy, giving fans an immediate look at how siuhy’s leadership will shape the team’s identity.

The Twistzz Era as IGL: Lessons Learned

The appointment of Twistzz as in-game leader back in mid-2024 was always a gamble. While an elite rifler with major-winning pedigree, the Canadian had no prior experience leading a team. Liquid hoped the presence of coach ⁠mithR⁠, known for developing IGLs, would smoothen the transition. Instead, the experiment struggled to yield consistent results.

Under mithR's wing and Twistzz’s leadership, Liquid managed only two playoff finishes of note: ESL Pro League Season 20 and the Perfect World Shanghai Major—both ending in 5th-8th place finishes. Despite the promising roster on paper, the team failed to break into the top tier of competitive Counter-Strike.

Siuhy’s Arrival: The Right Leader at the Right Time?

At just 21 years old, siuhy already boasts a reputation as one of the brightest tactical minds in CS2. He led GamerLegion to a Cinderella run at the BLAST.tv Paris Major 2023 and followed it up with consistent, top-tier results at MOUZ, including a trophy at ESL Pro League Season 19.

MOUZ win ESL Pro League Season 19, winning two back to back Pro League titles (Image Source: ESL)

That said, questions remain. siuhy’s past success came with younger, more impressionable rosters. Can he adapt his leadership to a more veteran-heavy environment? Will his tactical voice resonate with established stars like NAF and Twistzz, or will there be friction?

This is a different kind of challenge—bringing cohesion and clarity to a team that has too often looked greater in parts than as a whole.

And then there’s the elephant in the room: the circumstances of his benching at MOUZ. Since he was moved to the sidelines, MOUZ have only looked sharper, prompting speculation—was it performance, personality, or something behind the scenes?

The silence left room for doubts. But make no mistake—siuhy built that MOUZ team. His record in the server speaks for itself, and he’s already shown the ability to rise from obscurity to prominence more than once.

Liquid’s Regional Standing Remains Secure

Despite shifting from a core split between Americas and Asia to one between Americas and Europe, Liquid’s regional status remains unchanged for the BLAST.tv Austin Major. As the No. 1 team in the Americas standings—and with no challengers close enough to surpass them by the April 7 deadline—Liquid will receive a direct invite to Stage 3 of the Major cycle.

This buys the new roster valuable time to gel without the pressure of open qualifiers or early-stage elimination. It also ensures siuhy has the chance to prove himself under optimal conditions.

Looking Ahead

Team Liquid’s latest rebuild enters a crucial phase as they place their faith in siuhy’s leadership. While his addition is not without risk, the potential upside is clear. If he can instill discipline, structure, and confidence into a lineup filled with experienced firepower, Liquid may finally find the consistency that has eluded them.

The road starts at PGL Bucharest, but all eyes will be on the BLAST.tv Austin Major, where siuhy’s trial period will culminate. Whether this move sparks a true renaissance or simply marks another chapter in Liquid’s ongoing identity crisis remains to be seen.

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Featured Image Source: Team Liquid/Russel "Twistzz" Van Dulken

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