Multicomponent fiber nonwoven webs having excellent liquid handling and/or repellency properties are described wherein the multicomponent thermoplastic polymer fibers have exposed first and second components that form the outer surface of the multicomponent fibers and that extend substantially continuously along the length of the fibers. The first component comprises a thermoplastic polymer and an active agent, such as a liquid repellency agent, and the second component comprises a thermoplastic polymer and contains from 100% to 50% by weight less active agent than the first component.