Team Liquid in Crisis? siuhy Opens Up After Painful IEM Atlanta 2026 Exit

Team Liquid’s struggles in Counter-Strike 2 continued at IEM Atlanta 2026, where the North American squad suffered another early playoff miss following defeats to Astralis and GamerLegion. After the elimination, in-game leader Kamil “siuhy” Szkaradek admitted the roster is going through “a very tough moment,” raising more questions about Liquid’s long-term future ahead of the CS2 Major season.

The disappointing result extends a rough 2026 campaign for Liquid, a team that entered the year hoping to become a consistent international contender after major roster changes and the addition of Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa.

Liquid eliminated from IEM Atlanta 2026

Liquid were knocked out of IEM Atlanta after a 0-2 loss against GamerLegion, falling 9-13 on Mirage and 6-13 on Nuke. The defeat came shortly after another loss to Astralis, leaving Liquid unable to escape the group stage despite a win over M80 earlier in the tournament.

According to siuhy, the team arrived in Atlanta feeling prepared after several weeks of practice. However, the confidence they showed in scrims failed to appear in official matches.

“It’s a lot of disappointment,” siuhy said after the elimination.
“I feel a little bit helpless.”
(Source: HLTV)

The Polish IGL explained that Liquid’s recent losing streak has severely damaged the team’s confidence. Once matches begin slipping away, the squad struggles to recover mentally, especially on the T side.

That weakness was clearly visible at IEM Atlanta. Liquid finished the event with one of the lowest T-side win percentages in the tournament, highlighting the team’s ongoing issues converting mid-round advantages and maintaining structure under pressure.

siuhy says confidence is Liquid’s biggest problem

Since joining Liquid, siuhy has been viewed as the player capable of rebuilding the team’s identity after inconsistent performances throughout the CS2 era. But even the former MOUZ captain admitted the current situation is becoming increasingly difficult.

The in-game leader emphasized that practice results have often looked promising, but official matches tell a completely different story.

Liquid repeatedly showed flashes of strong coordination during practice leading into IEM Atlanta, yet failed to maintain composure once momentum shifted against them on stage. According to siuhy, that psychological barrier is currently one of the biggest differences between Liquid and top-tier contenders.

malbsMd transfer explained amid Liquid roster rebuild

Liquid’s disappointing results come shortly after one of the biggest roster moves of the spring season. In March, the organization transferred Guy “NertZ” Iluz to G2 and acquired Mario “malbsMd” Samayoa in return.

The move helped Liquid restore an American-heavy VRS core ahead of Major qualification, while also giving the roster a more aggressive rifling presence.

Despite the team’s struggles, siuhy defended the signing and praised malbsMd’s impact inside the system. The Liquid captain explained that the Guatemalan player brought balance to the roster and contributed fresh ideas without disrupting team chemistry.

Liquid coach Viktor “flashie” Tamás Bea also supported the change in previous interviews, noting that malbsMd communicates effectively while avoiding the “too many voices” problem that previously affected the squad.

malbsMd himself described the transfer as an opportunity to rediscover his form after a difficult period with G2.

“I want to be the malbs that I once was and I’m hoping to find myself again.”
(Source: HLTV)

What’s next for Team Liquid?

Liquid now turn their attention toward CS Asia Championships 2026 and the upcoming road to the CS2 Major. The pressure on the roster continues to grow as expectations remain high for one of North America’s most recognizable organizations.

Despite the poor results, siuhy still believes the team can recover if they regain confidence.

According to the Liquid captain, one strong victory could completely change the atmosphere around the lineup and help the team rebuild momentum before the most important events of the season.

For now, however, Liquid remain one of the biggest question marks in professional Counter-Strike 2.