Team Liquid take first place in LCS Summer Split with win over CLG

Team Liquid is dominating the 2019 LCS Summer Split.

The LCS Spring Playoffs champion scored a big victory over Counter Logic Gaming and is now alone at the top of the LCS standings. Liquid entered the week in a three-way tie for first.

During the draft, Liquid focused the jungle champion pool. Raymond “Wiggily” Griffin picked his first Elise of the summer split and teamed up with top laner Kim “Ruin” Hyeong-min. The goal was to neutralize Jung “Impact” Eon-yeong, the best performing member of the Team Liquid to this point in the season.

CLG took over the top lane, the mid lane was even, and the bottom lane favored Team Liquid. All players performed ably and the teams traded evenly on the whole.

The action started when both teams made a play for the Rift Herald. CLG rotated the bottom lane into the pit and rushed the objective. After being ganged up on during the laning phase, Impact was ready to get revenge and did so by using his ultimate to steal the Rift Herald.

CLG remained cool and organized. 21 minutes into the game, they turned their attention to the recently spawned baron. Though they arrived first, Liquid chased them out of the pit and secured it for themselves.

Liquid destroyed the top lane inhibitor and took a step back. CLG protected the structures as best they could but their composition lacked significant engaging tools, something that kept the players from initiating the fights.

While CLG played a defensive game, Team Liquid claimed a second baron buff and went in for the win.

Nicolaj “Jensen” Jensen was caught out deep in enemy territory but managed to get a kill which was followed by another kill on Wiggily. Confident in their number advantage, Team Liquid fought in the mid lane only to be destroyed by Ruin and Tristan “PowerOfEvil” Schrage. Ruin chased down Jake “Xmithie” Puchero and the baron buff was gone for Team Liquid.

The spring champion pushed through the three lanes. CLG was tired of playing reactive and felt empowered after winning the last team fight. The team committed to a play in the top lane against Impact. The rest of Team Liquid responded and turned the play around.

Trevor “Stixxay” Hayes was the first to fall and three other players followed. Ruin was the last man standing but could only watch as Team Liquid destroyed the nexus and snatched the win.

With the win over CLG and Cloud9 eating a loss from Echo Fox, Liquid became the undisputed first-place holder in the LCS. They’ll likely be able to hold that spot in a game on day two against Flyquest, while CLG looks to rebound off of Golden Guardians.