The status of R&D activity ongoing at ENEA on the lithium target system of the international fusion materials irradiation facility (IFMIF) is reported. The activity has been launched in year 2000 in the frame of IFMIF key element technology phase in order to reduce the key technology risk factors and to guarantee the required availability and reliability of the IFMIF liquid Li target system. The items discussed in the paper are related to the Li jet flow stability numerical analysis, water flow simulation experiment, backplate remote handling simulation and Li target safety analysis.