Team Liquid Confirms Roster Change Following TI12 Exit
After a disappointing fifth-place finish at The International 2023, Team Liquid’s Dota 2 lineup is set to undergo a roster change. However, the team’s coach has confirmed that only one player will be replaced.
Following their loss to Gaimin Gladiators in the TI12 lower bracket quarterfinals, zai, one of Liquid’s players, announced his intention to take a break from competing and potentially retire from Dota entirely.
While there wasn’t much information available initially, rumors began circulating about a possible roster rebuild for Liquid. However, the team’s coach, Blitz, has since confirmed that zai will be stepping away from the team, but no additional players will be replaced.
Blitz’s joke tweet about kicking zai after their elimination held some truth, but it is still unclear whether zai will completely part ways with the team or move to the inactive roster, similar to other players in the industry.
Despite the loss of zai, Liquid will retain their star midlaner Nisha and the trio of miCKe, Boxi, and Insania. These players broke the Dota 2 record for most games played together as a trio during TI12 and are expected to continue their partnership.
As for the replacement for zai, Liquid has already contacted every available free agent offlaner and will announce their signing ahead of the WEU qualifiers for ESL Kuala Lumpur 2023, which begin on Nov. 16.
According to Blitz, the signing is nearly finalized. Dota reporter koozya mentioned that Liquid had talks with Tundra’s 33, but Blitz’s comments suggest that the outcome is uncertain.
Stay tuned for updates on Liquid’s new lineup in the next two weeks.