Group Liquid is constructing a full Korean-speaking roster for the 2023 Season.
Regardless of successful the Spring Lock-In Event and making playoffs in each splits, 2022 was nothing however disappointing for Group Liquid in comparison with the expectations. Constructing the most costly roster within the LCS historical past with the anticipation of a North American Worlds, TL got here into final yr with the goal of domination. Sadly, the crew and gamers struggled to search out their type all year long, and once they could not qualify for Worlds 2022, the roster disbanded instantly.
Throughout the offseason, TL co-owner and co-CEO Steve Arhancet got here out with a press release and stated they might go along with a lower-budget crew, and focus extra on younger native expertise. Many anticipated TL to advertise most of their Academy crew, who have been at that time back-to-back Proving Grounds champions. However Liquid subverted followers’ expectations with an surprising roster development.
- Prime laner: Park “Summit” Woo-tae
- Jungler: Hong “Pyosik” Chang-hyeon
- Mid laner: Harry “Haeri” Kang
- Bot laner: Sean “Yeon” Sung
- Assist: Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in
TLCK
Group Liquid promoted a few gamers from the TL Academy for positive, however not many anticipated them to try this and likewise import extra gamers. And doubtless not many have been anticipating them to finish up with a full Korean-speaking roster both, which ended up with them being known as TLCK by the followers on-line.
The brand new high/jungle import duo of TL are gamers well-known to the North American viewers. We watched Pyosik elevate the Worlds 2022 trophy in San Fransisco simply a few months in the past. Sadly for DRX, the crew couldn’t maintain on to their gamers. After almost all of his teammates left the group, Pyosik additionally determined to tackle one other problem and ended up within the LCS. It’s laborious to know what to anticipate from Pyosik. He hit a few of the highest highs and a few of the lowest lows a participant can hit on the Rift within the final couple of years. He confirmed that he may very well be a major a part of a successful crew, however we’ve additionally seen him make some massive errors when his groups began to battle somewhat bit.
One other participant that confirmed us each side of the coin is Summit. There isn’t a lot discuss wanted about how dominant he may be within the high lane. We noticed him drag his crew to victory after victory throughout the 2022 Spring Cut up, successful himself the MVP award within the meantime. However he additionally faltered at instances, particularly when groups threw draft assets at him and he didn’t handle to adapt his playstyle accordingly. There have been additionally lots of rumors about Summit having issues together with his head coach, Nick “LS” De Cesare on the time. Fortunately, TL additionally imported a Korean coach, so possibly that is perhaps useful. It additionally helps the brand new coach is a former high laner and a World champion at that. This would be the first teaching job for former SKT T1 participant, Jang “MaRin” Gyeong-hwan, however it looks like TL has lots of belief in him.
Now, after all, absolutely Korean talking doesn’t imply absolutely Korean. Each Haeri and Yeon are resident gamers, who have been born into Korean-speaking households. Whereas their language talents have been positively an element, their promotions from the Academy crew didn’t shock many. As talked about above, these gamers dominated the 2022 Proving Grounds in each splits. Particularly Yeon was seen as among the finest bot laners within the circuit, and it is going to be thrilling to see him begin his LCS profession in a lane with the legendary CoreJJ.
Regardless of 2022 being a down yr for Core, it by no means feels proper to wager in opposition to him. Even throughout a nasty yr, CoreJJ was one of many higher assist within the lane. His troubles have been extra throughout mid-games when he needed to mess around his crew. A brand new crew and an surroundings is perhaps actually useful for him as effectively.
Final however not least, somewhat bit about Haeri. Whereas he is an efficient prospect, he wasn’t as hyped as Yeon. Nonetheless, he had lots of good performances. It’s extra reasonable to anticipate a extra gradual begin for him to the LCS, particularly with a brand new jungler beside him, however he’s gifted sufficient to not get crushed down by extra skilled gamers. Though some followers aren’t pleased with one other import-heavy roster, this Group Liquid squad each is sweet sufficient to compete for playoffs proper now and has some developmental items for the long run.
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