Team Liquid Stumbles in VCT Champions 2023, Losing to LOUD
Team Liquid’s highly anticipated VALORANT roster fell short in the VCT Champions 2023 tournament, losing to LOUD in a one-sided match. The defeat has given hope to LOUD’s Brazilian fan base for a remarkable comeback.
Pre-Tournament Hype for Team Liquid
Before the Champions event, many fans and analysts considered Team Liquid a safe bet to make it to the playoffs. This roster not only won the EMEA League this year but also managed to defeat Europe’s dominant team, Fnatic. Despite a disappointing performance at Masters Tokyo, Liquid’s supporters had high hopes for a strong showing in Los Angeles.
In today’s match, however, Team Liquid crumbled under the dominant performance of the defending champions. LOUD completely dominated the first map, finishing with a 13-2 scoreline. Every player on the LOUD team contributed to the victory, leaving Liquid’s hopes shattered.
Related: VALORANT Champions 2023: Scores, schedule, and format
Although the second map was more closely contested, LOUD showcased exceptional coordination, tactical prowess, and individual skill that haven’t been seen in a while. They didn’t rely solely on superstar player Erick “aspas” Santos, as Cauan “cauanzin” Pereira and Arthur “tuyz” Vieira combined for an impressive 57 kills. LOUD’s perfect utility usage effectively shut down any attempts by Liquid to make a comeback.
On the other hand, Team Liquid struggled to find their rhythm throughout the series. Their lack of cohesion was apparent in executing their plans and team composition. Multiple times, players were caught off guard while peeking angles without any support, and their team play was severely lacking as they repeatedly ran into LOUD’s formidable defenses.
Despite doubts about LOUD’s form leading up to Champions, they have proven themselves in this match. Reports of internal issues seemed to have no impact as last year’s champions displayed a level of performance that could surprise everyone as they strive to defend their title.
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