Liver macrophages are important immune cells in the liver, and they express proinflammatory factors and anti-inflammatory factors through polarization into M1 type and M2 type, respectively, thereby playing a role in regulating inflammatory damage response. The malignant transformation of hepatic progenitor cells is the core mechanism of the malignant progression of hepatic precancerous lesions, and its key factor is the continuous stimulation of inflammatory microenvironment, which is closely associated with M1/M2 macrophage polarization. This review mainly focuses on the association between macrophage polarization, chronic inflammation, and malignant transformation of hepatic progenitor cells, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of hepatic precancerous lesions.