Luis Jimenez's 27th-minute strike allowed the Eternal City outfit to return to winning ways having failed take all three points from any of their previous four encounters.

The outcome sees the Biancoceleste climb one point clear of AC Milan in the table with three games left to play after the Rossoneri were held to a goalless draw by Fiorentina.

Lazio controlled the opening half but were made to work hard as the Tuscan outfit pushed forward more aggressively after the restart in search of the equaliser.

Top-scorer Cristiano Lucarelli was back in the line up for Livorno, but he could not inspire them to victory as they lost their third straight game in Rome.

Looking to bounce back from last weekend's 0-0 result against bitter city rivals Roma, Lazio came out all guns blazing.

Luciano Zauri's right-footed volley forced Livorno goalkeeper Emanuele Manitta to make his first save early on.

The hosts continued to surge forward and should have broken the deadlock in the 20th minute, with Manitta unable to hold onto Cristian Manfredini's stinging drive.

The ball fell for Luis Jimenez to stroke it into the back of the net, only for the referee to disallow the goal for offside.

Midway through the first half, an unmarked Massimo Mutarelli missed a golden chance to put his team ahead as he failed to find the finishing touch from inside Livorno's area.

Lazio's efforts finally paid off shortly before the half-hour mark, with Goran Pandev serving Jimenez inside the area. He shrugged off his marker before firing towards the near post and beyond Manitta's reach.

The goal inspired the hosts who almost struck their second moments later, with Christian Manfredini's 30-yard effort going just over the crossbar.

At the other end, former Lazio midfielder Stefano Fiore's strike from distance proved an easy save for Marco Ballotta.

Lazio should have gone into the break with a 2-0 advantage but Pandev's close-range effort went wide of the far post.

Livorno showed more determination after the restart as they went in search of the equaliser.

Jose Luis Vidigal beat the offside trap to latch onto Fiore's pass but Ballotta read the move and was quickly off his line to get the ball.

On the hour mark, Fiore whipped in a cross for Lucarelli but the striker could not get on the end of it.

At the other end, Tommaso Rocchi struck a shot from distance which beat Manitta but whistled just wide of the post.

Manfredini should have killed the game off with five minutes left to play but his close-range header from Valon Behrami's cross went high.

Livorno's late efforts proved to no avail as the hosts held on for the win.

The result is a blow for the Leghorn outfit, who are five places but only two points clear of the drop zone with three games remaining.