An absorbent article comprising a liquid absorbent layer was recently patented. The absorbent article has a skin surface and a garment surface. A pair of compressed grooves, where the liquid absorbent layer is compressed and recessed from a side of the skin surface toward the garment surface, extend in a longitudinal direction of the article. The compressed grooves are located laterally apart from a longitudinal centerline of the article. Each one of the pair of grooves is located on a single side of the longitudinal centerline. The pair of grooves each curves inwardly within a range of an equal distance forward and rearward from a lateral reference line in the longitudinal direction such that a separation distance between the compressed grooves is smallest at a point within the range. The pair of grooves is substantially parallel to each other over distances forward and rearward of the range. A rear flexible portion, where the liquid absorbent layer is recessed from the side of the garment surface toward the skin surface, is provided to extend toward a rear end edge of the article from a starting point that is located closer to the rear end edge than the lateral reference line. At least a portion of the rear flexible portion is located on the longitudinal centerline and between the substantially parallel compressed grooves and a front flexible portion. The liquid absorbent layer is also recessed from the side of the garment surface toward the skin surface. The front flexible portion extends toward a front end edge of the article from a starting point that is located closer to the front end edge than the lateral reference line. At least a portion of the front flexible portion is located between the compressed grooves and the front and rear end edges are located an equal distance apart from the lateral reference line. The front and rear flexible portions are also located an equal distance apart from the lateral reference line.