Elections to Liverpool City Council were held on Tuesday 1 November 1886. One third of the council seats were up for election, the term of office of each councillor being three years.
After the election, the composition of the council was:
* - Retiring Councillor seeking re-election
At the meeting of the Council on 9 November 1886, the terms of office of eight alderman expired. The following eight were elected as Aldermen by the Council (Aldermen and Councillors) on 9 November 1886 for a term of six years.
* - re-elected aldermen.
Caused by the resignation of Cllr. Laurence Connolly MP (Irish Home Rule, Scotland, elected 1 November 1884).
Caused by the election of Dr. William Cross (Conservative, St. Anne's Street, elected 1 November 1886) as an alderman by the Council on 9 November 1886.
Alderman John Pearson died on 2 June 1887. Councillor Anthony Bower (Conservative, Abercromby, elected 1 November 1884) was elected by the council as an alderman on 6 July 1887.