Courtesy of HLTV.org

Team Liquid recently confirmed rumors of a trade with Brazilian side Made in Brazil that will see Jake “Stewie2k” Yip headed to Team Liquid and Epitacio “TACO” de Melo re-joining is former teammates in MIBR. The trade has sparked much debate as to which side comes out ahead, and whether or not Team Liquid will be able to continue their strong showings after losing their “support” role in TACO.

Much of the debate with the Stewie2k move revolves around whether or not he will be able to slot into TACO’s positions, as a support-style bombsite anchor. This seems reasonable, as Stewie2k has played an anchor position on certain maps in both Cloud9 and MIBR, but does Liquid really just need a TACO with better mechanics?

Team Liquid has one of the most individually skilled lineups ever assembled, with Jonathon “ELIGE” Jablonowski, Russel “Twistzz” Van Dulken, and Keith “NAF” Markovic creating an absolutely absurdly talented rifle-core that could go head to head with any team in the world. A major struggle this year has been Nicholas “nitr0” Cannella picking up both the role of In-game leader and main AWP for the team, which admittedly has lead to the most successful Liquid line-up to date, there have been some clear growing pains in nitr0’s development as an AWPer. I propose this solution to the new-found liquid role dilemma: It’s time for Stewie2k to become a primary AWPer.

At first glance, this would seem to be a bit of an odd decision, as mentioned earlier, Stewie2k already plays many of the same positions as TACO, so why change things so dramatically? Honestly? Because even though they play the same position, Stewie is not a passive “support” player, and probably never will be. Stewie has all of the skills to become one a fantastic world class awper, and a centerpiece for a team.

Stewie has always been an aggressive-minded player, confident in himself to take the game into his own hands and hard carry when necessary, an important mindset to have when your team is constantly investing a $4,750 gun into your hands. He performs well in the scramble, and has been a long-time secondary awper on both Cloud9 and MIBR. He boasts a style that is perfect for a transition into a full time star awper, and there is no better time to make that move than now, on his first team without a set-in-stone awper.

It is no secret that Stewie has been struggling recently, often not performing to the expected major-winner levels in his time on MIBR. It seems clear that MIBR was unable to truly utilize Stewie and take advantage of his unique skill set. I say again — Let. him. AWP. Stewie has always been a flashy and aggressive player, he is the type to make the aggressive moves that will punish an opposing teams mistakes. He has made it known that he is a vocal player, someone who can say “I’m going out mid” with confidence, and you can trust him. These are all traits that are the foundation for a great awper.

Give Stewie the ability to take over a game with aggression and raw unpredictability, and put the best rifle-core ever assembled right behind him. This Liquid lineup is absolutely too powerful to let go to waste, but the players must be utilized according to their skills.

nitr0 has proven he can lead at the top level, allow him to continue to do so, and to focus on it.

ELIGE has always been one of the best entry fraggers in north america, and he and nitr0 can make magic happen in opening up a bomb site.

Twistzz is an all star player, and Liquid have done well to notice and give him that support and freedom to succeed. Keep him there, he’s been an absolute headshot machine.

NAF is a lurker through and through, if Liquid can find a way to put NAF in more late round “Xyp9x” positions he will absolutely win them games. He is a fantastic clutcher, passive and calm. He is an x-factor like NA CS may not have seen before.

Stewie is a player with fantastic skill, and the confidence to use it. If Liquid unleashes him, and allows him to take over games with his aggression and movement with the most powerful gun in the game, they could prove to be an unstoppable force.