I have a front loading Kenmore washer and when i put liquid detergent and fabric softener, the liquid flows into the machine - should the detergent and fabric softerner remain in their compartements until i start the cycle?

Hello,
Yes the detergent and softener will stay in the dispenser drawer until the correct time for them to be dispensed. The detergent is dispensed during the main wash cycle and the softener will not dispense until the rinse cycle

What you have described is all fine. There is nothing to stop the liquid detergent from flowing from the compartment into the machine, whereas the fabric softner is effectively in a little pot that water gets pumped into to flush it out at the right part of the cycle.

The issue with liquid detergent of course is that if you are doing a very dirty wash and using the second detergent compartmet that most machines have, the liquid all gets used in the first wash. If you are ever doing this, use powder in the second detergent bay so that it doesn't flow away.

I have a problem where the detergent flows but the softener does as well, at the same time. Which this mixes them during wash cycle. I need the softener to stay in the compartment until rinse cycle but it does not..any solutions or help??