Liberia is one of 2 nations that wasn't colonized by European powers but I haven't read anywhere as to why did the Europeans avoid it. The other nation is Ethiopia and the reason why it wasn't colonized was because they were able to fight back against the European powers and stay independent. Was Liberia's reason similar or did the European's just ignore it?
People ask this question periodically on /u/AskHistorians and similar subreddits, so forgive me for re-posting an answer I provided in an earlier thread. I'd be happy to clarify any details, though!
The Scramble for Africa occurred following the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885. Liberia was already an independent state by that time, however the Liberian state did suffer from territorial losses due to the provisions of the General Act of the Berlin Conference, specifically the Principle of Effectivity, which instituted a "use it or lose it" rule for the establishment of new colonies.
The Liberian government claimed control over large swathes of the hinterland and its tropical forests, but only effectively controlled the coastline. Consequently, and because it had no real military to stop European empires from incursions, Liberia was forced to cede parts of its territory to the British and French in 1907 and 1911.
tldr; in theory, Liberia already enjoyed state sovereignty. However, because it did not have true control over its claimed territories it did lose some land area to European powers.