Danish commentator Jacob “Pimp” Winneche wrote on X:
Big rumor: FaZe & Liquid might swap EliGE & Twistzz ‼️
Long shot, but I think both teams would come out stronger tbh.
Wouldn’t mind it
— Jacob “Pimp” Winneche (@PimpCS2) August 10, 2025
It’s just a rumor, but it immediately stirred the scene — after all, it involves two of the most famous riflers in modern CS.
Who Are Twistzz and EliGE — Short and to the Point
Twistzz (Russel Van Dulken) — one of the cleanest mechanical riflers in the world, a clutch master, and a duel expert. With FaZe, he won PGL Major Antwerp 2022 and Intel Grand Slam S4. After a hugely successful stint with FaZe, he moved to Liquid, where he is now the team’s main star.
EliGE (Jonathan Jablonowski) — the face of Liquid’s 2016–2020 era, a symbol of the club’s five-year dominance in North America, and part of the roster that claimed Intel Grand Slam S2. After parting ways with Liquid, his career took him to other teams, and he is now a rifler for FaZe.
What the Trade Could Mean for FaZe Clan
If Twistzz returns to FaZe:
- 1) Superstar firepower core
Twistzz restores FaZe’s old top-pick formula: the aggressive rain, the stable frozen, the explosive Twistzz, sniper broky, and in-game leader karrigan. This lineup gives FaZe two full-fledged wing “closers” in late rounds — Twistzz and broky.
- 2) Synergy with karrigan and roles
Twistzz has understood karrigan’s philosophy for years: quick pace changes, commitment to 2–2–1 setups, and prioritizing micro-initiatives in late rounds. This reduces adaptation time to a minimum — FaZe can almost instantly “switch on” their familiar system.
- 3) Map pool and positional quality
On Inferno / Nuke / Mirage, Twistzz has historically excelled in high-quality duels and post-plants; with him, FaZe can more easily close out late-round 3v3/2v2 situations. Plus — the return of old call packages tailored for him.
Risks for FaZe
- Losing EliGE’s versatility in “space-taking/trading” roles on the T side.
- Some dependence on Twistzz’s individual form: if he’s not in peak shape, FaZe loses part of their clutch potential.
What the Trade Could Mean for Team Liquid
If EliGE returns to Liquid:
- 1) Historic chemistry with NAF
The EliGE–NAF duo is one of the best in NA history. Paired with IGL siuhy and proactive NertZ, Liquid would have a flexible core: EliGE could take “space” on T and handle tough anchor spots on CT, freeing NAF for impact clutches.
- 2) Style and tempo balance
siuhy builds a structure that requires smart “first contact” and precise trading. This is EliGE’s comfort zone. His discipline in entry/re-entries complements NertZ’s aggression and NAF’s stability.
- 3) Psychology and brand
The return of a legend instantly boosts morale and resonates with the Liquid fan base. It sends a clear message: the club is once again building “its own” Liquid around proven values.
Risks for Liquid
- Losing Twistzz’s pure mechanical prowess in the finisher and duel-support roles.
- Time needed to fine-tune positions for ultimate and NertZ to avoid overloading EliGE.
The Market Logic Behind the Trade
Direct swaps between tier-one teams are rare, but here there’s a mutually beneficial narrative:
- FaZe regains the identity of its championship cycle with a proven core (karrigan–rain–broky + Twistzz).
- Liquid brings back the “heart” of its IGS S2 era and builds a balanced quartet around siuhy.
Financially, it’s also convenient: both players are top-tier assets with comparable market value; a direct swap is often simpler than two separate signings with large buyouts.
Conclusion
If the rumor comes true, FaZe would get instant synergy and the clutch potential of Twistzz, while Liquid would gain balance and structure through EliGE’s return, plus a strong psychological boost. At the same time, it’s not without cost: FaZe would lose EliGE’s versatility, and Liquid would lose Twistzz’s pure mechanics and finishing power.
For now — it’s just talk. But such a swap makes sense from both a gameplay and branding perspective, and it could reset both projects ahead of the autumn LAN season.
