What to expect from Liquid v. Falcons

Liquid are facing Falcons in the first match of their ESL Pro League Season 21 run. Unlike M80 and NRG, Liquid are starting in the second stage of the event.

Falcons will prove to be a tough matchup for Liquid, as they were rated very low by Eternal Fire in the power rankings.

Liquid haven't placed above 9th-12th in 2025

Liquid hasn't stood out so far this year. They are 5-5 in their matches thus far, not playing too bad but not doing anything out of this world, either. They will face a tough test in this Falcons team, who have been performing very well in recent times.

• Liquid will try to pick Anubis, it is their first pick and Falcons haven't played the map yet this year.

• ultimate needs to step up. The AWPer hasn't been consistent this year and they will need him to find his form to make some noise at Pro League.

• Liquid will have to find a way to stop Nikola "NiKo" Kovac. Good luck.

Falcons aim to improve on their second place finish at PGL Cluj-Napoca

Falcons have surpassed expectations so far this year. The team that never seemed to step up despite having talented players has now seemingly found a formula for success.

• NiKo needs to continue his good form for Falcons to stay relevant.

• Falcons probably won't be able to pick their best map, Dust2. Liquid haven't won on the map this year.

• Damjan "kyxsan" Stoilkovski is a standout caller, Russel "Twistzz" Van Dulken might struggle to keep up with him in that regard.

Previous matchups

Liquid and Falcons have never played each other.

Likely vetoes

Liquid don't necessarily have a permanent ban, so expect them to ban Falcons' best map. Given Falcons are having a more successful year, the veto looks much better for them on paper. This is how we speculate the veto may go.

• Falcons ban Inferno (it's their most banned map)

• Liquid bans Dust2 (it's one of their most banned maps and Falcons' best map)

• Falcons pick Nuke (it's their second most-picked map)

• Liquid picks Anubis (it's their home map)

• Falcons ban Ancient (they don't play the map often)

• Liquid bans Mirage (they ban this map even more often than D2)

• Train is left over

This wouldn't be a terrible veto for Liquid. They're solid on Nuke, but Falcons are also good at the map. Falcons haven't played Anubis yet this year and Train would be a relative toss-up, should the series go there.