A liquid discharge apparatus includes a liquid discharge head, a scanning device, a conveyance device, a reading device, control circuitry, and a detecting device. The liquid discharge head is configured to discharge liquid to a target object. The scanning device is configured to move the liquid discharge head in a main scanning direction. The conveyance device is configured to convey the target object in a direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction. The reading device is disposed at a predetermined position with respect to the liquid discharge head. The control circuitry is configured to change a detection pattern image for detecting a defective nozzle, in accordance with a feed amount of the target object in the sub-scanning direction. The detecting device is configured to identify a nozzle corresponding to a defective portion of the detection pattern image read by the reading device.