Elections to Liverpool Town Council were held on Monday 1 November 1872. One third of the council seats were up for election, the term of office of each councillor being three years.
The Ballot Act 1872 received Royal Assent on 18 July 1872, introducing the Secret Ballot.
Six of the sixteen wards were uncontested.
After the election, the composition of the council was:
Because of the large number of uncontested seats, these statistics should be taken in that context.
* - Retiring Councillor seeking re-election
The death of alderman Oliver Holden was reported to the Council on 1 January 1873.
Former Councillor John Birch Melladew (Conservative, West Derby, last elected 1 November 1869) was elected as an alderman by the Council (Councillors and aldermen) on 6 January 1873.
Alderman William Bennett resigned on 12 February 1873.
Thomas Carey was elected as an alderman by the Council (Councillors and Aldermen) on 9 April 1873.
The death of Councillor John Parrat (Conservative, South Toxteth, elected 1 November 1871) was reported to the Council on 24 March 1873.
The death of Councillor Henry Hornby (Conservative, Lime Street, elected 1 November 1871) was reported to the Council on 6 August 1873