Here's why:

* LiCl is an ionic compound, meaning it's formed by the electrostatic attraction between positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).

* Lithium (Li) is a metal, and metals tend to lose electrons to form positive ions (cations).

* Chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal, and nonmetals tend to gain electrons to form negative ions (anions).

* In LiCl, lithium loses one electron to become Li⁺, and chlorine gains one electron to become Cl⁻.