"Lively" spent January and February escorting relief convoys to and from Malta, before sailing with a force to locate a reported damaged Italian cruiser on 9 March. The force came under air attack on 11 March, with the cruiser being sunk by a torpedo. "Lively" helped to rescue survivors. On 22 March "Lively" became involved in the Second Battle of Sirte, carrying out torpedo attacks and being damaged when a 15-inch shell exploded alongside. Detached to sail to Tobruk the following day, she suffered further damage from air attacks, but reached the port. "Lively" sailed from Tobruk to Alexandria in April, and then rejoined her flotilla after repairs had been completed.