Doublelift explains his move from Team Liquid to TSM

Following the official announcement of Yiliang “Doublelift” Peng’s transfer to TSM, the veteran League of Legends marksman released an extensive video detailing his tumultuous final season with Team Liquid. The content provides unprecedented insight into the factors behind his dramatic behavioral shifts and performance deterioration during the Spring Split. The accomplished AD Carry also aimed to address circulating misinformation about his highly anticipated return to TSM.

The revealing footage begins with Doublelift analyzing Team Liquid’s underwhelming World Championship campaign. After exiting during a fiercely contested group stage, internal assessments identified jungler Jake “Xmithie” Puchero as the squad’s primary liability—a conclusion Doublelift vehemently disputed. He emphasized being the sole advocate for retaining Xmithie following their impressive 2019 competitive run.

“Our communication synergy was exceptional, and team decision-making flowed much more efficiently,” Doublelift explained regarding Xmithie’s tenure. “His role proved indispensable to our structure. Although our jungle performance at Worlds required improvement, it represented a collective issue rather than individual failure.”

Despite Doublelift’s vigorous defense of his two-year teammate, organizational consensus favored acquiring new jungle talent for the 2020 competitive season.

“I considered that assessment fundamentally flawed,” Doublelift stated.

The AD Carry clarified he held no personal animosity toward replacement Mads “Broxah” Brock-Pedersen. He described Broxah as “exceptionally credentialed” and an “outstanding” individual, teammate, and competitor. However, despite developing strong rapport with Broxah, Doublelift believed TL had “discarded” a proven successful formula by removing Xmithie.

This organizational decision, Doublelift disclosed, triggered his motivational decline at the Spring Split’s commencement.

“My engagement levels were clearly suboptimal initially. This unfairly impacted my teammates, and I’ve offered multiple apologies both privately and publicly. I should have maintained proper competitive focus,” he admitted, noting that encountering a teammate exhibiting similar behavior would provoke strong reaction.

Doublelift complains about Team Liquid coaching staff

Doublelift’s frustration intensified progressively throughout the competitive season, as he perceived himself “awaiting the authentic roster” due to Broxah’s persistent visa complications. Simultaneously, the organization utilized numerous substitute players across multiple weeks, reinforcing Doublelift’s preference for their 2019 championship-caliber lineup.

When Doublelift contracted illness mid-split, coaching staff removed him from the active roster. Management cited attitude concerns and subpar performance—issues Doublelift acknowledged while identifying additional complicating factors. According to Doublelift, teammates had provided constructive feedback to coaching personnel that never reached him directly.

“From my professional perspective, coaching staff should relay such feedback directly. Teammates shared it expecting I would receive the information, even through anonymous channels,” he explained.

This communication failure precipitated Doublelift’s subsequently removed interview session with journalist Travis Gafford. After criticizing coaching decisions that appeared to bench him “without warning,” Doublelift requested Gafford remove the initial recording and publish a revised version with reduced criticism toward staff members.

Doublelift has now publicly reiterated his position: He desired preliminary warnings or developmental feedback rather than “immediate” roster removal.

“Potential explanations include utilizing it as justification for benching me, which remains plausible. Alternatively, they may not have considered the feedback sufficiently important to communicate. The specific circumstances remain unclear, but I experienced significant surprise regarding the entire situation,” he stated.

When Doublelift eventually received opportunity to reclaim his starting position, he perceived only Broxah and Team Liquid co-founder Steve Arhancet as supportive figures. He noted Arhancet demonstrated “transparency” and worked to “determine underlying causes.” Meanwhile, Broxah represented an “internal ally” providing essential support.

Doublelift admits he was afraid to lose his spot on Team Liquid

Following Team Liquid’s defeat against Counter Logic Gaming—the Spring Split’s tenth-ranked squad—management reinstated Doublelift. However, he struggled to perform at his established standards while maintaining constant vigilance throughout the season’s remainder.

“I recognized my teammate relationships had deteriorated significantly by that stage,” he acknowledged.

He received feedback about making “excessive shotcalls” and frequently suppressed his strategic opinions to “avoid subsequent benching.” Operating with extreme caution and demonstrating “optimal conduct,” Doublelift confessed he genuinely feared employment termination at that juncture. Consequently, he found himself withholding perspectives and selectively “choosing confrontations.”

Despite believing he maximized cooperative efforts, Doublelift began experiencing perceived disrespect when coaching staff started substituting him during practice sessions. At that point, he admitted uncertainty about potential contributions toward team success attainment.

“The environment became completely dysfunctional. An undeniable disaster. Our performance remained suboptimal throughout the split’s duration, and we consistently appeared unimpressive,” Doublelift summarized.

Doublelift admits he wanted to stay on Team Liquid despite drama

After missing playoff qualification, Doublelift engaged in extensive discussions with Arhancet regarding his competitive objectives with Team Liquid. He informed the organization owner that his primary goal involved “concluding the Summer Split powerfully” with Team Liquid. Arhancet appeared aligned with permitting Doublelift to demonstrate his capabilities next split, but the AD Carry began sensing Arhancet represented the sole individual sharing that perspective.

Doublelift acknowledged developing the perception that his teammates had “never absolved him” for his “competitive errors.”

“Throughout my career, I’ve witnessed players experience substantial performance declines. I’ve successfully supported teammates through difficult periods across six competitive years. Performance fluctuation represents an inherent aspect of professional League of Legends: maintaining peak performance indefinitely proves impossible. I encountered a slump during Spring Split’s initial phase and accept full responsibility,” Doublelift stated, adding that he felt his team lacked appreciation for his “maximum effort” to reverse the situation while offering neither support nor forgiveness.

Doublelift then referenced previous instances where Joo-sung “Olleh” Kim, Team Liquid’s former support player, had experienced competitive tilt during last year’s MSI, essentially surrendering mid-competition. He recalled continuing support for Olleh and assuring his team of Olleh’s untapped potential.

“I virtually never abandon my teammates,” he affirmed.

However, Doublelift detected distinctly different atmosphere from the current competitive roster.

“The complete scenario felt fundamentally unjust. I perceived myself compelling reintegration into a team expressing disinterest in collaboration. Should I endure the entire year perceiving my position remains perpetually threatened while continuously confronting past mistakes?” he questioned.

During subsequent discussions with Arhancet, he learned about potential trade possibilities. Arhancet requested Doublelift’s preferred destination organizations, and Doublelift provided an “extremely limited selection.”

“I would prefer retirement over transitioning to inferior competitive situations,” he declared.

TSM featured on that exclusive list.

According to Doublelift, Arhancet demonstrated cooperative professionalism. Doublelift recognized management could have transferred him arbitrarily, including to lower-tier organizations, but Arhancet declined that approach.

Doublelift excited for Summer Split with TSM

Doublelift expressed enthusiasm about returning to TSM, noting previous positive experiences with the organization. He anticipates competitive engagement with renewed vigor during the approaching Summer Split.

“Should I rejoin TSM and we fail to qualify for Worlds, that outcome would appear disastrous. This represents an absolute commitment scenario with TSM. I intend to dedicate complete effort and establish trust with supporters and teammates,” Doublelift affirmed. “I made numerous regrettable statements and performed inadequately. Our descent from championship contention to ninth position remains unacceptable.”

For Doublelift, competing with TSM symbolizes his competitive redemption narrative. He expresses particular anticipation about reuniting with Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg.

“I aim to manage expectations appropriately, but this roster configuration possesses potential for exceptional competitive achievements,” Doublelift commented.

Doublelift subsequently allocated time addressing circulating misinformation. He clarified he received no illicit recruitment offers from Team Liquid and did not deliberately undermine Team Liquid performance to facilitate TSM transfer. As an athlete possessing substantial competitive drive and professional pride, those particular rumors generated significant irritation. He characterized such speculation as completely unreasonable.

With those clarifications established, the competitive community awaits Doublelift’s potential redemption arc during Summer Split now that he represents a new organizational environment.

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