Refer to a nearby element DOM Js

Question

How will I address the elements that are nearby?

I have this html

<button class="prev" onclick="prevtrack">Prev</button>
<button class="next" onclick="nexttrack">Next</button>
    <ul>
        <li>Need this item (Prev)</li>
        <li class="active"></li>
        <li>Need this item (Next)</li>
    </ul>

But there may be such an option

<ul>
    <li></li>
    <li>Need this item</li>
    <li class="active"></li>
</ul>

nth: it does not suit me (because I need a number of Nearby elements) enter image description here

Answer 1

I found the answer to my question

$("li.active").prev().children('a').click();