TL;DR
- Team Liquid dominated Evil Geniuses 3-0 in the 2021 LCS Lock In semifinals
- CoreJJ emerged as MVP with exceptional leadership and playmaking skills
- The 2021 roster features Alphari, Santorin, Jensen, Tactical, and CoreJJ
- Team Liquid failed to advance from groups in 2020 Worlds despite 3-3 record
- Strategic improvements make Team Liquid favorites for 2021 LCS Spring Split

Team Liquid delivered a commanding performance against Evil Geniuses in the 2021 LCS Lock In semifinals, securing their spot in the championship match against Cloud9 with decisive gameplay.
The semifinal confrontation showcased Team Liquid’s tactical superiority as they systematically dismantled Evil Geniuses’ strategies. Despite Evil Geniuses demonstrating strong form throughout the tournament, they proved unable to counter Team Liquid’s coordinated assaults. Across all three games, Evil Geniuses struggled to establish any meaningful advantage against the well-drilled Team Liquid squad. While each Team Liquid member contributed significantly, Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in’s influence proved particularly instrumental to their success.
Congratulations to @TLCoreJJ on winning Player of the Series for the 2021 #LCS Lock In Semifinals Series between @TeamLiquidLoL and @EvilGeniuses! #TLWIN pic.twitter.com/iHvr2uOPzk
— LCS (@LCSOfficial) January 31, 2021
During the elimination series, Evil Geniuses deployed numerous strategic variations but found Team Liquid consistently prepared with effective countermeasures. When Evil Geniuses attempted aggressive engagements, Team Liquid secured superior map positioning. When the pace slowed, Team Liquid accelerated the tempo to maintain pressure. By the third match, Evil Geniuses’ morale had visibly deteriorated, allowing Team Liquid to claim a straightforward victory and advance to face Cloud9 in the finals.
CoreJJ’s impact extends beyond his position as support, establishing him as arguably the most valuable player across the entire LCS. His unique combination of playmaking vision, calculated aggression, and leadership qualities creates advantages unmatched by other professional players. The strategic direction provided through his shot-calling demonstrates unparalleled quality that competing organizations actively seek to emulate, evidenced by Team SoloMid’s historic acquisition of Hu “SwordArt” Shuo-Chieh with a groundbreaking $6 million agreement.
With CoreJJ directing team movements, Team Liquid has transformed into a methodical and determined competitive force. Integrating two new roster additions typically creates coordination challenges, particularly when incorporating a new jungler who brings distinct gameplay approaches. However, the 2021 Team Liquid lineup has overcome these potential obstacles through exceptional teamwork and communication.
.@TeamLiquidLoL complete the sweep and will face off against @Cloud9 tomorrow in the 2021 #LCS Lock In Finals! #TLWIN pic.twitter.com/lk1Msj1wGF
— LCS (@LCSOfficial) January 31, 2021
The team demonstrates enhanced coordination and formidable presence compared to previous seasons, positioning them as probable frontrunners for the upcoming 2021 LCS Spring Split championship. Their systematic approach to objectives and teamfighting coordination presents significant challenges for opposing squads attempting to counter their strategies.
Who are the members of Team Liquid?
The current Team Liquid lineup for the 2021 competitive season consists of:
- Top lane: Barney “Alphari” Morris – Known for his lane dominance and teleport coordination
- Jungle: Lucas “Santorin” Tao Kilmer Larsen – Provides map control and objective timing expertise
- Mid lane: Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen – Brings consistent performance and teamfight execution
- Bot lane: Edward “Tactical” Ra – Demonstrates aggressive positioning and mechanical proficiency
- Support: Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in – World champion with exceptional game sense and shot-calling
This roster configuration emphasizes balanced lane strength complemented by strategic jungle-support coordination. The addition of Alphari strengthens their top side presence while Santorin’s methodical jungle style complements CoreJJ’s aggressive support play, creating multiple pressure points for opponents to manage simultaneously.
Did Team Liquid make it out of groups?
During the 2020 League of Legends World Championship, Team Liquid failed to progress beyond the group stage. They concluded the initial phase with three victories and three defeats, narrowly missing quarterfinal qualification by a single match victory. This performance highlighted both their competitive potential and areas requiring improvement for international success.
The narrow margin of elimination underscores the team’s capacity to compete at elite levels while indicating specific areas needing refinement for future global tournaments. Their consistent domestic performance suggests potential for improved international results with strategic adjustments.
Action Checklist
- Review Team Liquid’s 2021 LCS Lock In semifinal VODs to study their objective control patterns
- Analyze CoreJJ’s ward placement and roaming timing in early game phases
- Compare Team Liquid’s 2020 and 2021 teamfight coordination in mid-game scenarios
- Study Alphari’s teleport usage and split-push management in late-game situations
No reproduction without permission:Game Guides Online » Team Liquid vs. Cloud9 booked for LCS Lock In finals Complete guide to Team Liquid's 2021 roster, tournament performance, and strategic dominance in LCS
