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Inter were inspired by Zlatan Ibrahimovic to turn this game around and go 16 points clear at the top of the table.
The Nerazzurri's record-breaking run of 17 consecutive victories came to a halt midweek against Udinese, but Livorno were hardly confident after winning just once in their last 13. Hernan Crespo was suspended, Adriano, Patrick Vieira and Esteban Cambiasso injured. The Stadio Picchi was only open to season ticket holders.
Livorno had much of the early pressure, as three shots in quick succession were charged down within the eight-yard area, but Zlatan Ibrahimovic forced a corner out of Marco Amelia with an angled drive.
Inter slowly gained confidence and Dejan Stankovic's fierce right-foot strike slammed against the upright from the edge of the area with Amelia none the wiser.
Marco Materazzi was booked for a clumsy tackle on Cristiano Lucarelli and, from the resulting set-piece, the captain unleashed a rocket of a free kick over the wall and back into the near top corner. There was nothing Julio Cesar could have done as Livorno took the lead on 27 minutes.
Roberto Mancini's men were unlucky, as they hit the frame of the goal for the second time. Julio Cruz's backheel sent Fabio Grosso clear and the World Cup 2006 hero's low drive thumped the inside of the post.
Inter equalised with a truly spectacular goal. Ibrahimovic flicked on a cross with the inside of his left heel and his back to goal, freeing Cruz for an easy finish from seven yards.
Maxwell drilled just over from a Cruz cutback, but Lucarelli's dangerous counter-attack was cut short by an Olivier Dacourt bookable offence.
In the second half Materazzi's header from a corner was well wide, while Filippini scuffed a volley from seven yards that could have been very dangerous.
Inter turned the game around completely with the on-form Ibrahimovic, although he needed a large dose of luck. His touched-on free kick took a decisive deflection off Rahman Rezaei to send Amelia the wrong way, but it still goes down as his 12th goal of the season.
Materazzi charged down a Stefano Fiore snapshot and Dario Passoni smashed a good shot off target from distance, while Julio Cesar parried Filippini's left-foot strike.
There was a tense finale, though, as Maicon was sent off for two bookings in quick succession. The first was for a push, then when he saw the yellow card the Brazilian sarcastically applauded the referee, earning a second punishment. Coach Mancini followed soon after for dissent.
Livorno also complained, as they felt there was a penalty for Ivan Cordoba's hold on Lucarelli, but the referee thought it was a mutual foul.
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