He's "absolutely buzzing", like the rest of the nation after England's steely display for the ages in overcoming Mexico and setting up a World Cup quarter final clash with Norway.
But for Liddle, this was about more than celebrating England's success.
There was deep personal satisfaction in seeing Jordan Pickford stepping to the verge of becoming a history maker, Dan Burn sticking his head where most players wouldn't put their foot and Djed Spence defending so resolutely after being introduced from the bench.
Liddle knows all three players well, playing a prominent role - even if he modestly talks his contribution down - in helping the trio get to where they are today.
Liddle coached Pickford when he was 12 and handed the then-Sunderland goalkeeper his senior debut at Darlington when he was just 17.
He gave Burn - who was pushing trolleys in Asda at the time - his big break with Quakers.
And he helped Spence develop into a first team player at Middlesbrough after the young defender was spotted and signed by the Teessiders after being released by Fulham.
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No wonder, then, he had to admit defeat in his bid to get a few hours of kip after England's success in the Azteca.
"I was just absolutely buzzing, I had the adrenaline running through me," Liddle, now Middlesbrough's academy manager, tells the Northern Echo.
"For them three, in particular, but for the performance as well, but for them three, absolutely. I was absolutely buzzing."
All three players have had very different journeys to the top.
"I've spoken quite a lot about Dan," says Liddle.
"But when we had Dan at Darlington, he used to live in up in Blyth, used to have to get the train to Newcastle, then he’d get another train, then he’d have to walk two miles to the training ground every morning. And he was never ever late.
"And you know, he nearly drifted out of the game. He was going to go to America on a scholarship. But we had a chat, he gave it a go and stayed in the game. And you look at his journey, it’s remarkable."
Middlesbrough academy chief Craig LiddleMiddlesbrough academy chief Craig Liddle (Image: Newsquest)
Liddle continues: "When Djed got released from Fulham, I remember going and watching him in a 21s game for us against Newcastle, and we signed him straight away.
"He'd had a major setback with Fulham, but it was probably what he needed to get out of London and have a change of environment.
"Jordan was obviously born up in the North East and spent the early part of his career up here, so there's no one size fits all."
Pickford will tonight become England's all-time record World Cup appearance maker, breaking Peter Shilton's long-standing record.
Imagine having predicted that to Pickford after he made his senior debut for a patched up Darlington side in a 1-0 defeat to Fleetwood 14 years ago.
Quakers had been minutes from folding in the days prior to the game and because of a transfer embargo were unable to sign players over the age of 19. Liddle needed a keeper and turned to Sunderland and Pickford.
"I remember him coming and taking a big cross after five minutes, he got through some bodies, caught it and that just settled everyone," recalls Liddle.
"He was just straight in. Didn't bat an eyelid. Nothing fazed him."
Did Liddle know from day one Pickford had the potential to be special?
"I think you can gauge the talent at that age," he says.
"But there’s a whole host of things between 12 and sort of senior football that come into play in terms of mentality, physicality, all that.
"But at 12, he was certainly one of the most talented young keepers around. He obviously grew and matured and developed.
"Sunderland did an incredible job with him. Sunderland have to take all the credit for the role they played in his development."
Liddle has bumped into both Pickford and Burn at North East Football Writers' awards evenings in the past couple of years.
"Jordan has never changed," he said.
"I've known the family for a lot of years. They follow him all over and have done since day one, which is fantastic.
"With Dan, I was running around the corner at the awards night to get back into the dinner and I actually ran into him," Liddle laughs.
"It was like I was trying to tackle him, so we collided more than we met! We had a good laugh. He's never changed, just an absolute diamond of a fella."
Liddle will be watching with pride again tonight.
"I'm quite fortunate to have played a very, very small role in Jordan's development, along with Djed and Dan," he says.
"I’m just privileged to have worked with them, and to see them all on the pitch the other night, it was an incredible feeling. To be able to have played a small part in their journey is amazing."