Santorin embraces new dynamic with Jenkins as Team Liquid adapts to roster changes in LCS Summer 2021
The Unexpected Roster Change
Team Liquid’s decision to bench star top laner Alphari sent shockwaves through the LCS community, creating an unexpected opportunity for Academy player Jenkins. The move came despite Alphari’s dominant Spring Split performance, suggesting deeper team dynamics at play.
Jungler Santorin views this transition as both a challenge and an opportunity, acknowledging Alphari’s skill while embracing the chance to develop synergy with Jenkins. The Danish player recognizes this as a pivotal moment to demonstrate his adaptability as a jungler.
Strategic roster changes mid-split carry significant risk, especially when replacing an established star. However, Liquid’s management saw potential in Jenkins’ different approach to the top lane, betting that his style might better complement the team’s evolving strategy.
Adapting to New Playstyles
The transition from Alphari’s lane-dominant champions like Renekton and Jayce to Jenkins’ team-oriented picks (Lulu, Gangplank) requires fundamental strategic adjustments. Santorin must now rethink his jungle pathing and gank priorities to accommodate this shift in top lane philosophy.
“Playing with Jenkins demands different jungle tracking and objective control,” Santorin explained. “Where Alphari could often win lane independently, Jenkins excels at enabling team plays through smart rotations and utility.” This change forces Liquid to develop more flexible macro strategies.
Pro Tip: When adapting to new lane partners, junglers should focus on early communication about power spikes and wave management to optimize gank timing and resource allocation.
Early Successes and Challenges
Despite the abrupt change, Liquid has managed a respectable 2-1 record with Jenkins, including a convincing victory against Dignitas. Their win showcased effective adaptation, with Jenkins’ Gangplank providing crucial global pressure while Santorin’s Rumble controlled team fights.
Common Pitfall: Teams often struggle with role definition after roster changes. Liquid must clearly establish whether Jenkins will focus on weakside play or develop into a secondary carry option as the split progresses.
Santorin notes that while their early results are promising, communication refinements remain crucial: “We’re tweaking our shotcalling structure to better leverage Jenkins’ strengths. Within 1-3 weeks, our coordination should become more natural.”
Long-term Team Goals
With 23 games remaining in the extended Summer Split, Liquid has ample time to refine their new identity. Santorin remains focused on domestic success, prioritizing an LCS championship he hasn’t won since 2015 over premature Worlds speculation.
Optimization Tip: Teams undergoing roster changes should use the first 5-7 games to experiment with different compositions before solidifying their preferred playstyle for the playoff push.
“We recognize NA’s current level compared to other regions,” Santorin admitted. “Our immediate focus is maximizing our potential locally before concerning ourselves with international competition.” This pragmatic approach allows Liquid to develop organically without excessive external pressure.
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