Liverpool was first granted a town charter in 1207, by King John. Before the 19th century it had a town corporation, and in 1880 was granted city status. Under the Local Government Act of 1888 it became a county borough, and therefore was legally separate from Lancashire.

In 1974 the city became a metropolitan district of the metropolitan county of Merseyside. At this point the name 'Liverpool Corporation' ceased to be used and the council was reconstituted as Liverpool City Council.