Team Liquid’s new in-game leader, Johnny “JT” Theodosiou, said Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski needs room to make decisions and speak up within the team’s system. That approach has helped Liquid begin JT’s tenure with wins over Vitality and G2.
Liquid’s strong start secured a place in the BLAST Bounty LAN Finals. The team will face another difficult quarterfinal in Malta after becoming the last team to pick in the draft, with MOUZ or Spirit the most probable opponents.
In an interview with HLTV.org, JT described the current Liquid roster as a balanced group built around experienced players and fresh talent. He pointed to EliGE’s aggressive style, strong lurkers and anchors, and Georgi “Jorko” Mitev’s early work with the AWP.
JT wants EliGE to play with freedom
JT and EliGE had already played together for an extended period before reuniting on Liquid. JT said the reunion felt natural, even though EliGE had left him around 18 months earlier.
He also pushed back against the idea that EliGE’s form was solely the result of their partnership. According to JT, EliGE performed well on FaZe too. The key is giving him a clear role while allowing him enough freedom to make plays and have a voice during matches.
“For EliGE, as long as he knows exactly what his role is and what he needs to do, it’s very easy for him to play,” JT said.
JT added that the team’s current system remains close to the structure he normally uses. Liquid built it quickly, and the players have understood their responsibilities with few early problems. Maintaining that connection in future matches will be the bigger test.
Jorko brings youth to Liquid’s lineup
Jorko joined Liquid alongside JT and has made a positive impression during the roster’s first two matches. JT praised the young AWPer’s mechanical skill, willingness to learn, and energy in practice.
The IGL said Liquid’s setup needs to give Jorko enough comfort to make plays. If the team can build that freedom into its system, JT believes the rookie can develop into an important part of the lineup.
JT also spoke about leaving longtime coach T.c after roughly eight years of working together. He called the decision difficult and credited T.c as a major reason for his career success. Liquid’s new coach, flashie, has already been working closely with JT on calls and strategy, with analyst DeMars DeRover also contributing.
Liquid chose a crowded event schedule
Liquid’s schedule includes both BLAST Bounty and a Stockholm LAN event. JT said the team initially did not know whether its full roster would be available for BLAST Bounty, which influenced the decision to enter another tournament.
The next BLAST Bounty ranking update will affect invitations for the rest of the season, making the event especially important for Liquid. The Stockholm tournament carries a $60K prize pool and gives the team another event to fill its calendar if the Malta run ends early.
JT acknowledged that the overlapping event system allows teams to register for multiple tournaments and seek the ranking points and LAN opportunities they need. For Liquid, the immediate focus remains getting through the BLAST Bounty quarterfinal with its new system intact.
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