Liu retired after the 2001 season and was appointed as the head coach of China's National Men's Team at the age of 27.

As the head coach of the Chinese Men's National Table Tennis Team he is the most successful coach in history with a team gold medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics in addition to the medal sweep by Ma Lin, Wang Hao, and Wang Liqin.

On December 1, 2018, Liu was elected as president of the Chinese Table Tennis Association, replacing Cai Zhenhua.

[5] His playing style is based on the use of short pimple-out rubber and he uses a penholder grip.

During his prime (1996–1999) Liu played with TSP Spinpips on his forehand and Mark V on his backhand, yet still on the Stiga Clipper blade.