The Premier League has written to all its clubs — including Liverpool — to see if they would be interested in piloting safe standing.
In what could be a significant step, the clubs have also been asked for their thoughts on the issue as part of a wide-ranging consultation.
Standing was outlawed in the top two divisions after the 1990 Taylor Report, commissioned following the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans died.
However, the questionnaire, seen by Sportsmail and sent to all PL club secretaries, is the strongest indication yet that a return to standing areas may be on the cards.