Team Liquid coach Dodo: “I’m not faulting Doublelift at this point.”

Navigating unprecedented challenges, Team Liquid demonstrates remarkable resilience as the LCS faces its first major shutdown. The organization’s facilities remain closed for 30 days, yet their competitive spirit remains unbroken according to head coach Kang “Dodo” Jun-hyeok.

WIN.gg’s exclusive interview reveals how the team plans to emerge stronger when competitive play resumes.

How were you feeling about Team Liquid’s Spring Split performance before the LCS postponed?

Dodo: We experienced several challenging weeks with suboptimal performances, yet remained well-prepared and optimistic about our matches against Golden Guardians and Evil Geniuses. The cancellation prevented us from demonstrating our progress, but we maintained belief in our ability to reach playoffs through continuous improvement.

Why were you still confident despite recent struggles?

Our roster possesses exceptional individual talent—the primary issues involved team coordination and communication gaps. These are precisely the types of problems that respond well to focused practice and systematic correction.

Do you agree with the LCS being postponed?

Absolutely—Riot’s decisions prioritize community safety above competitive considerations. While disappointing from a competitive standpoint, these measures represent necessary precautions during global health concerns.

Do you think there should be an online format, or do you see further issues arising from that?

The LPL has successfully implemented online competition frameworks that could serve as models for North American and European leagues. The critical implementation challenge involves creating secure, supervised environments that maintain competitive integrity while ensuring player safety.

What do you think about Riot’s new formatting for the LCS Spring Split? Should it have more impact on Worlds qualification?

Spring Split should carry greater significance in the World Championship qualification process. The current structure creates a disjointed competitive calendar where teams undergo significant roster changes between splits, making Spring results less reflective of a team’s true capabilities.

Does Team Liquid still have that drive and hunger despite Spring Split’s reduced importance?

Our motivation transcends individual split outcomes—we compete to win every match regardless of stakes. This mentality separates elite organizations from temporary contenders.

Do you think this break is good or bad for your team?

The shutdown presents both advantages and disadvantages for team development. Extended practice time enhances roster synergy building, while the absence of official competition creates motivational challenges and practice fatigue.

Now that the TL facilities are closed, what is the team’s plan for practicing?

We conducted extensive discussions with players and staff about practice arrangements. Some competitors prefer home environments for scrims, while others maintain facility access under strict safety protocols.

My management responsibilities now include coordinating nutrition and transportation to minimize external contact risks. We’ve implemented comprehensive safety measures that exceed standard recommendations.

How do you feel about some of the players not being at scrims in person?

Remote practice setups aren’t ideal for collaborative review sessions, but safety considerations must take precedence during health crises.

Why is it important to have in-person practices and meetings with the players?

Physical proximity facilitates immediate feedback exchanges and spontaneous strategic discussions that digital communication cannot replicate effectively.

Did any of the players travel back home to Europe or Asia?

All players remain in Los Angeles, maintaining geographic cohesion despite operational disruptions.

Do you think teams will be ready for the Summer Split at this rate?

Teams will maintain competitive readiness—the uncertainty involves league infrastructure preparation rather than team capability development.

What are your thoughts on the Mid-Season Invitational being held in the middle of the summer?

Mid-season international tournaments create scheduling complications similar to Rift Rivals. MSI’s competitive significance diminishes when scheduled too close to the World Championship, creating tournament overlap rather than distinct competitive phases.

Is it important to still have MSI?

Honestly, the tournament loses contextual meaning when detached from its traditional placement in the competitive calendar.

As a coach, what has been the toughest challenge for you this Spring Split?

Uncontrollable external factors like Broxah’s visa situation created cascading challenges throughout the split. I don’t attribute performance issues to Doublelift’s motivation—he wanted our full roster available for optimal team development.

Why did Doublelift continue using Senna during those first few weeks after it was clearly not working out too well? Was there a strategy behind that?

Our team invested significant practice time mastering Senna’s unique playstyle. Despite different strategic requirements, we believed in the champion’s competitive potential based on scrimmage performance data.

There’s been nothing like this in esports before. Do you see any positives coming out of this situation for Team Liquid or the LCS?

The current situation increases public health awareness while providing teams extended development periods. These unexpected benefits partially offset competitive disruptions.

How has the support from the fans been during all this chaos?

We’ve experienced both unwavering loyalty and demanding criticism from our fanbase. Both forms of engagement demonstrate community investment in our competitive journey.

Thank you for standing with us through these unprecedented circumstances. Please prioritize safety measures including social distancing and proper hygiene protocols.

What will Team Liquid’s biggest strength be when the Spring Split returns?

Our roster combines exceptional mechanical skill with sophisticated team coordination strategies. This foundation enables rapid adaptation to changing competitive landscapes.

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