Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is a major cause of liver damage, and has become a hot and difficult field of study. Recent investigations reveal that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) plays a critical role in protection of tissues and organs against IR injury. This paper overviews the actions of HSP70 in liver IR injury, which puts a special emphasis on the mechanisms underlying its protective effect such as regulation of inflammation factors, and anti-apoptotic and antioxidative effect.