A reduced pressure dressing for applying reduced pressure treatment to a tissue site includes an interface layer (1920) adapted to be positioned at the tissue site. An absorbent layer (1928) is in fluid communication with the interface layer to absorb liquid from at least one of the interface layer and the tissue site. A pump (1810) is in fluid communication with the absorbent layer to deliver a reduced pressure to the tissue site. A cover (1944) is positioned over the pump, the absorbent layer, and the interface layer to maintain the reduced pressure at the tissue site, and a liquid-air separator (1940) is positioned between the absorbent layer and the pump to inhibit liquid from entering the pump.
