AN unwritten Premier League adage would have it be known that a cold night at Stoke City represents the true barometer for any ambitious team.

And thanks to Luis Suarez, Kenny Dalglish’s new-look side last night gave another encouraging indication they are heading in the right direction.

Liverpool took another step on the road to Wembley by negotiating a significant hurdle in their Carling Cup fourth round tie at the Britannia Stadium.

Having come away with nothing despite dominating on their Premier League visit here last month, there were fears the visitors would suffer a dizzying bout of deja vu after frittering away a succession of chances.

But it is simply impossible to keep Suarez out of the headlines at present.

Dogged by accusations of racism and diving, this time the Uruguayan was making news for the right reasons, equalising Kenwyne Jones’s 44th-minute opener with a scintillating curling effort before heading home the winner with four minutes remaining.

Not since September 2010 had Suarez scored twice in a domestic match, netting two penalties for Ajax against Willem II.

And it was the first time since Dalglish succeeded Roy Hodgson as manager in January that Liverpool had come from behind to win and secured a last eight berth in this competition for the first time since 2007.

The Carling Cup has taken on great importance for Liverpool this season as they aim to end a trophy drought that stretches back to 2006. Small wonder, then, the celebrations at the final whistle of an absorbing, entertaining cup tie.

Suarez will hog the spotlight but, having fluffed their lines so disappointingly during last week’s friendly defeat at Rangers, this time many of Liverpool’s fringe players successfully staked their claim.