Team Liquid part ways with its Dota 2 roster

Team Liquid has announced the surprise departure of its Dota 2 roster. The squad leave with the intention of starting their own esports organisation. 

The decision was finalised during the post-TI9 roster shuffle but not as a result of it. In a video message from team captain Kuro "KuroKy" Salehi Takhasomi, he revealed that this was a plan he's been carrying for years. 

Team Liquid took 2nd place at The International 2019 after losing to back-to-back winners, OG. The squad became world champions in 2017 when they won TI7 and has had a strong presence in the scene ever since, making them one of the best teams to ever play the game. 

The news arrives just after the DPC 2019-2020 details were revealed and teams are now busy scrambling to plug any holes in their lineups. KuroKy's team won't have to look for new players but it will need to put together an organisation which is in many ways, a harder task. 

The masterful lineup consists of KuroKy, Maroun "GH" Merhej, Ivan "MinD_ContRoL" Ivanov, Amer "Miracle" Al-Barkawi, and Aliwi "w33" Omar who replaced long time member Lasse Aukusti "MATUMBAMAN" Urpalainen. However, Team Liquid has not given up on Dota 2 yet. 

Team Liquid founder and co-CEO Victor "Nazgul" Goossens said in a release: "It is hard to predict the future and it is by no means a given that we find the right fit immediately when we look for a roster, but I can definitely say that we love this game and want to be a part of it." He went on to add, "We are on the lookout for individuals or teams who can continue the winning legacy that the five boys leave behind, and we will let you know as soon as we have an update."

A new era has begun not only for Team Liquid and KuroKy's squad but also the rest of the international Dota 2 scene. This post-TI shuffle and the season that follows it will be one to remember.