Before Liliensternus got its name, it was named a Halticosaurus by Huene in 1934. It was the same year the first incomplete skeleton was found. The diosaur was described by Welles in 1984 and renamed Liliensternus to express a name that was not so much like Halticosaurus longotarsus. Liliensternus was a in the sub-family coelophysoid.

This carnivore was about 5.4 feet in length. Had a lot in common of the famous Dilophosaurus, having crests on its head even though many say that Liliensternus actually was more related to a Coelophysis than a Dilophosaurus or a Ceratosaurus.

This dinosaur is known from two incomplete skeletons. One can be seen at the Naturhistorisches Museum in Schleusingen located in Germany.