Ronaldo hurt as Milan held by Livorno

European champions Milan missed the chance to go fourth in Serie A when they were held 1-1 at home by Livorno yesterday and their disappointment was compounded by a serious-looking injury to Ronaldo.

The Brazilian was carried off in tears after going down with a knee problem during the incident that led to Andrea Pirlo's equalising penalty after an hour.

The striker, who has hardly featured this season because of a series of injuries, had only come on as a substitute three minutes earlier.

Midfielder Nico Pulzetti had put Livorno ahead five minutes after the break when he curled a left-foot shot into the far corner from just inside the area.

Pirlo levelled with a spot-kick conceded for handball by Vidigal, whose slight contact with Ronaldo as he sought to intercept a cross was not the apparent cause of the injury.

Milan had made a bright start to the game and Livorno goalkeeper Marco Amelia produced fine saves to repel shots by Pirlo and Yoann Gourcuff as well as a short-range Massimo Ambrosini effort in the first half.

Amelia showed excellent reflexes again in the 76th minute when he knocked away Filippo Inzaghi's bullet header and Pulzetti fluffed a glorious chance to snatch a shock win for Livorno at the death.

The European champions have made a top-four finish and Champions League qualification the target of their Serie A campaign after a dreadful run before Christmas when they did not win at home.

Yesterday's draw ends a sequence of four consecutive victories and gives Milan 37 points from 22 games, one point less than Champions League-berth rivals Fiorentina. Milan are 19 points adrift of leaders Inter.

The Livorno fixture, originally scheduled in December, was postponed to allow Milan to take part in the Club World Cup.

Milan won the tournament which was played in Japan.