Yes, you’re describing classical liberalism. That’s not what I was referring to. I was talking about the contemporary definition of liberalism, which “combines ideas of civil liberty and equality with support for social justice and a well-regulated mixed economy” (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modern_liberalism_in_the_United_States). Related, but clearly not the same.
I see. In that case I don’t see where you draw the distinction from modern liberalism and progressism, and in what way this non-progressive liberalism is anti-authoritarian that is not in service of the free market.
Overall, calling all leftism authoritarian still seems misguided. Leftism is by itself a whole spectrum including philosophies like the social democrat. This vilification of the whole left seems like a remnant of the Red Scare.