The main research results in recent ten years of laser propulsion with liquid propellants are summarized internally and internationally. The general mechanism of laser propulsion with liquid propellants is analyzed. And the splashing is concluded as the most important constraint of the performance of liquid propellants. Changing the geometries of propellants and increasing the viscosity of liquid are presented as two effective ways to improve propulsive performance. And the performance characteristics of liquid volume, thin film, droplet and highly viscous propellants are commented successively based on the different ways. The hexane film, water droplet and highly viscous solutions are concluded as three kinds of liquid propellants with better integrated propulsive performance. Finally the compound propellant is pointed out to be one of the most important future directions of laser propulsion with liquid propellants.