Team Liquid has officially moved Kamil "siuhy" Szkaradek to the bench, confirming another major roster change during a turbulent 2026 season. The decision follows weeks of speculation surrounding the team's leadership and comes shortly before Liquid is expected to debut a new lineup featuring Johnny "JT" Theodosiou as its in-game leader.

 

Quick Summary

 

What happened?

 

Kamil "siuhy" Szkaradek spent roughly 15 months with Liquid before being moved to the inactive roster.

 

Liquid announced that siuhy has been moved to the bench, ending his approximately 15-month stint on the active roster.

Although Liquid has not yet officially introduced his successor, tournament submissions and previous reports indicate that Johnny "JT" Theodosiou is expected to become the team's new in-game leader for BLAST Bounty Season 2.

The move represents the organization's second major roster change of the summer following the replacement of AWPer Roland "ultimate" Tomkowiak with Georgi "Jorko" Mitev earlier this month.

 

Updated Liquid Roster

Liquid's core now revolves around EliGE, NAF, malbsMd and newcomer Jorko as the team prepares for its next international event.

 

JT has not yet been formally announced by Liquid at the time of writing, although he appears on tournament submissions for BLAST Bounty Season 2.

 

Background and Context

Johnny "JT" Theodosiou is expected to take over the in-game leader role after Liquid confirmed siuhy's benching.

 

When siuhy joined Liquid in April 2025, expectations were high.

He arrived after helping MOUZ become one of the world's strongest tactical teams, earning a reputation as one of Counter-Strike's brightest young in-game leaders.

However, his time with Liquid never produced comparable results.

Throughout 2025 and the first half of 2026, Liquid struggled with:

repeated group-stage eliminations,

disappointing finishes at tier-one events,

inconsistent performances at tier-two LAN tournaments,

declining Valve Regional Standings positioning,

difficulties maintaining Major qualification momentum.

HLTV also noted that Liquid finished the season with one of the weakest T-side win rates among top-level teams, highlighting one of the biggest tactical issues during siuhy's leadership.

 

Why this move matters

This benching is about much more than replacing one player.

It signals another attempt by Liquid to rebuild around a different leadership philosophy after months of disappointing results.

Several factors make the move significant:

new tactical direction under an experienced IGL,

second roster overhaul within weeks,

opportunity for Jorko to integrate into a fresh system,

preparation for BLAST Bounty Season 2,

long-term rebuilding ahead of the remainder of the 2026 calendar.

Whether JT can immediately improve Liquid's structure remains unknown.

 

Timeline

 

Key Details

 

Tactical Impact

Replacing an in-game leader is among the most significant roster changes a Counter-Strike team can make.

If JT officially joins the lineup, Liquid would gain an IGL known for structured systems and leadership experience developed over several years in international competition. However, integrating a new tactical voice while simultaneously introducing Jorko could require an adjustment period.

Because Liquid's T-side execution was frequently cited as one of the team's biggest weaknesses in 2026, the organization appears to be prioritizing strategic stability over continuity.

 

Tournament Impact

Liquid's revamped lineup is expected to debut immediately against Vitality at BLAST Bounty Season 2, leaving very little preparation time.

That opening match will provide the first indication of:

JT's impact (if officially confirmed),

Jorko's integration,

updated map pool,

revised calling structure,

overall team chemistry.

 

Historical Comparison

Liquid has undergone several major rebuilds in recent years.

Previous roster overhauls included:

replacing NertZ with malbsMd,

signing Jorko,

benching ultimate,

now benching siuhy.

Unlike earlier moves focused on individual firepower, this change directly affects the team's strategic leadership, making it arguably the most influential roster decision of the 2026 offseason.

 

What Changes Now

Liquid now enters the second half of 2026 with:

a new AWPer,

a new in-game leader expected,

two former starters on the bench,

pressure to improve results quickly.

The organization has little time before important international events begin.

Highlights from one of Liquid's final tournaments before the roster overhaul, illustrating the team's struggles during the 2026 season.

 

What to Watch Next

Several developments remain worth following:

Official announcement of JT.

Liquid's debut versus Vitality.

Updated tactical approach under new leadership.

Future destination for siuhy.

Whether additional roster moves follow later this season.

 

FAQ

Why did Liquid bench siuhy?

Liquid has not provided a detailed competitive explanation beyond announcing the roster move. The change follows several months of disappointing tournament results and broader roster restructuring.

Who will replace siuhy?

JT is expected to become Liquid's new in-game leader, but the organization has not formally announced the signing yet.

When will the new Liquid roster debut?

The current expectation is July 24 against Vitality in BLAST Bounty Season 2.

Is siuhy leaving Liquid permanently?

No. He has been moved to the bench. No transfer or departure has been announced.

Who else has left the active roster recently?

Earlier this month, Liquid also benched AWPer ultimate while adding Jorko.