AusBonsai

Bought this from a nursery and was told it is a japanese maple, after it losing its leaves through winter and regrowing them i think it could be a liquidambar....
Anyway where do you think i could take this tree from here

Looks like a LA to me...

I'm voting Liquidamber Ky. My simple advice is fertilize, trim back and wait until the winter to make any really difficult decisions.
That said, the tree is OK but could do with more growth, a few more branches (and they will come after cutting back a bit) and some defoliation probably next year.

I am Pretty sure it is LA too
I have just recentley bought some fertilizer and will be feeding maybe every second week
i am going to let it grow for maybe a year before doing anything major on it
the reason it looks a little bare is i have taken of some of the larger leaves and some small bar brances

LA is my vote too. It's the grey bark that says that to me.

Taking off the bar branches and defoliation is the right track.

Half strength liquid fertilizer every second week is good too.

I need to cut back the water to my LA, I have been a bit too careful these last two weeks .

I am being a bit generous when watering this guy as well
im pretty sure it can handle it though
would love to see pics of your LA could maybe give me ideas ...