G2 and Liquid trade malbsMd and NertZ as Major race heats up

G2 and Liquid have announced that the two organizations have traded malbsMd and NertZ. The move has significant implications for Liquid’s hopes of qualifying for the IEM Cologne Major 2026, but questions linger over whether these individuals can actually improve their new rosters.

malbsMd to Liquid sends them back to the Americas VRS

With teams scrambling to secure invites to the IEM Cologne Major 2026 over the next few weeks, Liquid has acted decisively to ensure the best chance of obtaining a spot. They have brought in malbsMd from G2, the Guatemalan rifler completing an Americas core including both NAF and EliGE. With NertZ, Liquid were part of the EU VRS, and this move ensures they will now be part of the Americas Valve Regional Standings. This far from guarantees their Major spot – their VRS points are still low enough that the next few weeks will be close, and Liquid will need to continue to rack up wins at the Roman Imperium Cup VI (where they are playing with stand-in jL) to lock in a place at the event.

As NertZ heads the other way, he puts behind him a forgettable Liquid stint, where he never quite recaptured the form that made him such a wanted man back in ENCE and HEROIC. Joining G2, NertZ reunites with SunPayus and former coach sAw from their time together on ENCE.

There remain big questions about both players on whether they can recapture their former form. malbsMd has struggled on G2 since NiKo left the team, and NertZ has never looked comfortable on Liquid. On paper, it could be a move where everyone wins.