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The 39th step has always been the most troublesome for the Premier League.

The so-called international round of the competition, “Game 39” was first proposed back in February 2008, with a view to being introduced in the 2010-11 season.

It was planned as an extra round of games tagged on to the usual 38-game campaign, with the matches being played at various locations around the world.

Endorsed by a number of top-flight chairmen, the idea proved hugely controversial.

Supporters groups were unhappy, FIFA were unimpressed and the football authorities in possible venues mentioned were also deeply concerned.

The Premier League, mindful of the hugely negative feedback, took a step back. Game 39 was quietly put to bed.

Now, though, it is in danger of being awoken from its slumber.

The news on Thursday that the Spanish La Liga has signed a deal to play at least one top-flight game overseas has caused a serious stir.

The plan is part of a 15-year partnership between La Liga and media company Relevent – which organises the International Champions Cup in which Liverpool and Everton have both previously taken part – to promote football in North America.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has called it a “ground-breaking agreement”.

And although details are yet to be confirmed, it's almost certain one of the teams involved in the fixture will be either Barcelona or Real Madrid.

Spain has already experimented with fixtures abroad this season, with Sunday's Spanish Super Cup, won 2-1 by Barcelona against Sevilla, being played in Morocco.

But it has taken more than a decade for a major European league to fully commit to an idea first greeted with such resistance in England.

Such is the pursuit of spreading the word and, let's be honest, bolstering the coffers, it's likely to only be a matter of time before the Premier League, along with Serie A and the Bundesliga, follow La Liga's lead. If the proposal is a success, they will all follow suit, keen not to be left behind.

Of course, other sports already take their product on the road to huge acclaim, with the American football NFL now playing several games in England per season.

So how does all this impact on Liverpool and Everton?

At present, not at all. But that is looking more likely to change in the coming years.

The crowds in the International Champions Cup, now a regular on the pre-season calendar, suggest there is more than sufficient potential interest.

Where this leaves the match-going supporter is intriguing. The La Liga plan isn't an extra game, but instead taking a regular fixture abroad. The usual fans of the teams involved will only be able to attend at huge expense.

Will season-ticket holders be reimbursed? Will one of the teams be happy to give up their usual home advantage? Will this unfairly assist the nominal away team? And what about the lengthy travel times for the players themselves?

So many questions. And, as yet, no real answers. The La Liga experiment will make for interesting viewing. And United States is only one of many potential international markets.

It may be one game, a trickle. But there's every chance that could turn into a flow.

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