NertZ: "You need to be delusional to win sometimes" – Liquid’s Battle with Belief

NertZ: "You need to be delusional to win sometimes" – Liquid’s Battle with Belief

"You need to be delusional to win sometimes." That’s how Guy "NertZ" Iluz, Liquid’s aggressive rifler, describes his mindset as the team struggles to find consistency mid-2025. Despite a disappointing season—missing qualification for both ESL Pro League and the BLAST Open (though later receiving an invite)—Liquid is attempting to turn the tide.

A Mental Reset with Flashie and Structure

Liquid’s off-season remained stable, with the main change being the arrival of coach Viktor “flashie” Tamás Bea. NertZ credits flashie with introducing essential structure and consistency to the team. He highlights the need for one person to definitively steer the team’s approach:

“The number one thing that he brings to the server is structure. … For me individually, it's super important that we have a structure, to be consistent.”

Siuhy has also become more integral in-game, joining flashie in enforcing tactical discipline. But NertZ admits implementation isn't seamless yet: “We know what we need to do, but implementing it takes time because not everyone is on the same page.” 

Self-Reflection in Tough Times

NertZ doesn’t shy away from holding himself accountable. “It's the first time in my career that I have had these numbers... in Liquid, I'm not going to blame anyone. The first thing is about me, why I cannot bring myself to be a better version of myself every time.” 

The team recently clawed its way into the top 8 at the BLAST Bounty Finals by defeating FURIA—momentarily a glimmer of improvement. NertZ frames the team’s mindset as undeterred:

“If we played against Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi in football, I would say that we could beat them no matter what.” 

More Voices, More Context

Another Liquid player, Mareks "YEKINDAR" Gaļinskis, recently reflected on his own leadership past:

“I was a young kid who wanted to win so bad that I could not hold my emotions back.” 

Although not directly related to the current performance, YEKINDAR’s flashback underscores the emotional pressure present in Liquid's roster and the growth needed in high-leverage roles.

Summary

Liquid is trying to recalibrate mentally and tactically amid underwhelming results. NertZ’s “delusional” mindset is less whimsical bravado and more a declaration of self-belief in the face of adversity. With flashie's structural influence and rising stability in calling from siuhy, the tools are there—but cohesion remains a work-in-progress.

What this means for Liquid going forward:

The team has gained structure with flashie as coach and siuhy’s enhanced role.

NertZ is introspective and willing to shoulder responsibility.

Belief remains a cornerstone of their resilience—sometimes bordering on delusional, but perhaps necessary when form crumbles.