A method of making an absorbent structure having high integrity is provided. A first superabsorbent polymer precursor composition including a monomer, a crosslinking agent and a reducing agent, and a second superabsorbent polymer precursor composition including a monomer, a crosslinking agent and an oxidizing agent are combined at a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart locations on or in a substrate. The precursor compositions react with each other to form discrete, spaced-apart microdomains of superabsorbent polymer adhering to the substrate. The spacing is sufficient to avoid gel blocking when the microdomains swell due to liquid absorption. The adhesion to the substrate is sufficient to maintain spacings between the microdomains of superabsorbent polymer.