[5] On 19 November 2017, he assisted Obafemi Martins's winner in the first leg of the 2017 Chinese FA Cup final against city rivals Shanghai SIPG,[6] which helped the club secure the title.

He made six appearances in all competitions for the club in 2017 and won the Chinese Golden Boy award in December 2017.

[11] His debut appearance would be in a league game against Jiangxi Beidamen on 26 April 2021, in a 4-2 victory where he also scored his first goal for the club.

[12] He would go on to establish himself as an integral member within the team and aid the club to promotion to the top tier at the end of the 2021 league campaign.

[13] On 27 January 2025, Liu signed Chinese Super League club Shanghai Port.