Elections to Liverpool City Council were held on Saturday 1 November 1888. One third of the council seats were up for election, the term of office of each councillor being three years.
Eight of the sixteen seats were contested.
After the election, the composition of the council was:
* - Retiring Councillor seeking re-election
Caused by the resignation of Councillor Thomas Bird Hall (Conservative, Great George, elected 1 November 1886) reported to the Council on 1 May 1889 .
Caused by the death of Councillor Sir James Allanson Picton (Liberal, Lime Street, elected 1 November 1888)
on 15 July 1889 .
.
Caused by the death of Councillor Patrick Edmund O'Hare (Irish Home Rule, Scotland, elected 29 December 1887) on 3 October 1889 .
Councillor O'Hare's term of office was due to expire on 1 November 1889.