We’re almost at the end of the 2020 LCS Summer Split playoffs. The losers bracket finals are coming up, and TSM and Team Liquid will be facing off against each other. TSM ended up in the losers bracket after losing to Golden Guardians in the first round, while Liquid lost to FlyQuest in the semifinals.
Both teams have qualified for the 2020 League of Legends World Championship based on their strong playoff performances. However, TSM and Liquid are now fighting for a chance to reclaim their former glory of being LCS champions.
TSM has been performing exceptionally well lately, winning three of their recent best-of-five matches. Despite their recent loss, Liquid is also a strong contender to reach the finals.
This weekend’s playoff match between TSM and Liquid is highly anticipated. Let’s take a look at what you can expect.
Doublelift’s quest for revenge against his former team and the importance of the draft
Doublelift played a significant role in Liquid’s downfall during the regular season of the 2020 LCS Spring Split. Now on TSM, he is determined to prove his worth and prevent Liquid from winning another championship. The playoff meta heavily prioritizes bottom lane champions during the draft, giving Doublelift the perfect opportunity for revenge.
Both teams will need to carefully navigate champion select, as there are several high-priority bottom lane carries. Caitlyn, Ashe, Senna, and Kalista are the main focus for most teams during the playoffs. Caitlyn, in particular, has been picked or banned in almost all games.
Doublelift will be facing his former support duo and MVP for the regular split, CoreJJ, who has been a strong presence in the bottom lane for Liquid. He will also have to contend with Rookie of the Year Tactical, who has shown exceptional skill with Kalista. Despite the challenges, Doublelift has thrived under pressure during past playoffs.
TSM also needs to consider Impact, Liquid’s top laner, during the draft. Impact has a small champion pool compared to the rest of his team, focusing on Shen, Ornn, and Mordekaiser. Pressuring him off these comfort picks can disrupt his gameplay.
Jensen vs. Bjergsen, and major lanes that Liquid must focus on
Jensen and Bjergsen have always had an interesting matchup, even when Jensen played for Cloud9. Both players have achieved major accomplishments domestically and internationally. However, Bjergsen has consistently shown his ability to perform under pressure. Liquid must collectively work together to prevent Bjergsen from becoming the focal point of the game. They must also pay attention to Broken Blade in the top lane and Spica in the jungle, as they have been performing exceptionally well for TSM.
If Impact can continue drawing attention from TSM without losing too much, Liquid will have a greater chance of success. However, if TSM forces Impact off his comfort picks, he will need to prove his versatility.
Prediction: TSM 3-2
Both teams are evenly matched, but TSM’s recent momentum gives them an edge. They have shown that they can make crucial decisions during high-pressure moments. If TSM continues their strong playoff run, they have a good chance of reaching the finals against FlyQuest.
Although TSM might be seen as the favorites, Liquid has dominated them throughout the Summer Split, with a clean 2-0 record. Liquid has also never lost to TSM in a playoff match since 2018. In a playoffs filled with upsets, Liquid has a strong chance of getting a rematch with FlyQuest.
You can watch the playoff match between Liquid and TSM on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 3pm CT.