NAF: “Even when we are not a top 10 or even top 20 team, a lot of people are talking more about Liquid than any other squad”Exclusive

In one of the most dramatic reversals of recent competitive Counter-Strike, Team Liquid engineered a stunning recovery from the brink of elimination. After dropping their first two matches at FISSURE Playground #2, the North American organization mounted an impressive winning streak that propelled them into the tournament’s final four. Following their decisive victory against Aurora Gaming, we secured an exclusive conversation with Keith “NAF” Markovic to explore the team’s current mindset and his personal performance evolution since the BLAST TV Austin Major 2025.

— Since we’re currently in Belgrade, I’ve been curious about your surname’s origins. Does your family have Serbian or broader Balkan heritage?

— Absolutely. My paternal grandfather was Serbian, which explains the family name. My father is fluent in Serbian, but since I was raised entirely in Canada, he never passed the language along to me. Looking back, I genuinely wish he had—especially considering he’s bilingual in Polish and Serbian, which would have been valuable to learn.

— So we could humorously consider this your home tournament.

— I’d definitely characterize it that way.

— Though you don’t have local family members here cheering you on.

— You’ve advanced to the semifinals after starting 0-2 in the Swiss stage. Was there a pivotal team discussion that sparked this turnaround?

— Throughout recent months, I’ve consistently sensed this weight of expectation bearing down on us. Managing that psychological burden proved exceptionally challenging. Arriving at this competition and immediately falling to 0-2, we recognized how crucial Major qualification is for our organization. Had we been swept 0-3 and eliminated, our Major prospects would have virtually disappeared.

We understood the urgency of elevating our performance. Following that second loss, we convened for what became a season-defining conversation. We acknowledged that, realistically, our odds of tournament victory and Major qualification appeared minimal. Our strategy became focusing exclusively on each individual match rather than the larger picture. That mindset shift has brought us to our current semifinal position.

— After the previous Major, you expressed that someone else might deserve your spot on Liquid. Was that temporary frustration, and how do you assess your situation currently?

— I’ve always embraced personal accountability as a core principle. When errors occur, I’m typically the first to acknowledge responsibility. After delivering subpar performances across six or seven consecutive tournaments—genuinely underwhelming showings—I felt obligated to voice that I questioned whether I belonged at this competitive level. I refuse to engage in self-deception about my contributions.

I essentially communicated that perhaps another player warranted the opportunity more, since my output wasn’t meeting organizational standards. Fortunately, my teammates never shared those concerns and maintained unwavering confidence in my abilities. That support has been instrumental in reaching our current position. I’m fortunate to have received opportunities to demonstrate my capabilities.

— Do you currently feel you’ve validated your position?

— I believe substantial development remains ahead. Certain matches continue presenting difficulties, but I’m progressively discovering my optimal form. My recent Inferno performance demonstrated clear improvement. My objective is to consistently replicate that level while maintaining dedicated practice—that’s the approach I’m committed to.

M0NESY: “I don’t know what NiKo is feeling, but I always dreamed of playing at a home event myself”
Explains if he likes current form of Falcons.

— We often witness teams delivering exceptional ‘last dance’ performances when aware of impending roster changes. The pressure dissipates. Is this dynamic influencing Liquid currently?

— You can certainly attribute it to that pattern. Historical evidence consistently supports this phenomenon. When athletes or squads know their collaboration is concluding, the psychological constraints naturally ease, frequently resulting in elevated performance beyond typical levels. This could indeed be a contributing element—we’ve observed similar scenarios previously. While I can’t elaborate extensively, it potentially represents one factor in our recent results.

— Regarding pressure dynamics: today you weren’t favored, tomorrow you definitely won’t be favored. Does that underdog status enhance your execution?

— Regardless of our statistical standing—even during periods where we ranked outside the top 10 or even top 20—discussion around Liquid consistently outweighs attention given to other organizations for various reasons. The phenomenon puzzles me somewhat. I suppose it’s intrinsic to the Liquid brand identity. Expectations surrounding our organization remain perpetually elevated, creating additional challenges for player performance.

However, multiple elements converged here: arriving with minimal Major qualification probability combined with the Twistzz departure announcement generated numerous psychological factors. Our approach became maximizing whatever opportunities presented themselves.

Kyousuke: “I did not watch CS as a child, I started playing just recently”
Kyousuke explains his dislike of Inferno.

No reproduction without permission：Game Guides » NAF: “Even when we are not a top 10 or even top 20 team, a lot of people are talking more about Liquid than any other squad”Exclusive NAF reveals Team Liquid's comeback journey, personal growth, and handling esports pressure in exclusive interview