Otto ascended the German throne in 936 and Liudolf, as his designated heir and successor, received a broad education.
His father was displeased and foiled his plans, supported by his brother Duke Henry I of Bavaria, who considered Liudolf's campaign a violation of his interests in Northern Italy.
The Swabian duke received little support by the Italian nobility and finally had to follow the approaching forces of his father, leaving him without much gain.
He underlined his right of succession by lavishly celebrating Christmas 951 like a king at the Kaiserpfalz in Saalfeld and forged an alliance with his brother-in-law Duke Conrad of Lorraine.
He died unexpectedly of fever amidst his victorious campaign at Pombia, near Novara, on September 6 and was buried in St. Alban's Abbey, Mainz.