Gut microbiota is a complex and dynamic micro-ecosystem in human intestinal tract, and it has a balanced symbiotic relationship with the host under physiological conditions. However, in pathological conditions such as chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma, the composition of gut microbiota and intestinal permeability will significantly change, leading to dysbiosis and bacterial translocation. Intestinal bacteria and their metabolites enter the liver to activate the inflammation associated signalling pathways, and flow into the systemic circulation to form endotoxemia, which jointly promote the progress of chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently, therapeutic strategies aiming at gut microbiota for the treatment of chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma include rational administration of antibiotics, probiotics or prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation. This paper reviews the potential role and clinical significance of gut microbiota in chronic liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma.