One of the biggest dates in the footballing calendar is fast approaching. The season has begun, as has European football and we’ve seen the release of the latest edition of FIFA, which can mean only one thing. The new Football Manager in so nearly upon us.

With FM17 set to launch within weeks, fans are already beginning to get excited about what the new game will bring, with thousands of changes and big new features being announced in the new features video.

With the game getting closer and closer, avid managers will be plotting and planning their first moves in the transfer market, where to send their scouts and how they will easily get the best out of Paul Pogba, as Mourinho seems incapable.

Not only will they be planning summer deals and whether or not to deploy Saido Mane as a raumdeuter or an inside forward, those more versed in the game will be plotting some big old challenges to set themselves.

Well, the gaming boffins here at Shoot! towers have come up with FOUR challenges that you managers can take on with Liverpool…

La Decima? Pfft Easy…

Real Madrid had to wait a long time to get their hands on an unprecedented tenth Champions League title, and it should take you a lot less time.

If you’re half the manager you claim to be, you’ve got eight seasons to double the Reds current tally of five, to ten and catch those pesky Galacticos.

Bold Move

A tough one this. Any FM players worth their salt are able to build or rebuild any side in the world and take them to glory, so that’s what you’re going to do.

Every FM game comes with an editor, so you’re going to have to head into that for this challenge. Remove the Reds top talent, Daniel Sturridge, Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Roberto Firmino, Saido Mane, Phillipe Coutinho and Nathaniel Clyne.

Having done so, and without buying them back, you have three seasons to win every domestic honour available to you.

The Southampton Connection

The Reds have been ridiculed in recent years for their shopping habits. Since the Saints were promoted back in 2012, Liverpool have signed every single Southampton player to have bagged themselves a goal at Anfield, from Rickie Lambert to Saido Mane.

Therefore, you’re going to continue this tradition, but take it a step further. Over the next four seasons, we want two league titles out of you, plus a further three major trophies of your choosing, whether that be the League Cup, The FA Cup or either of the European competitions available.

That is a big ask on its own, however, just to complicate things, you may only sign players from St. Mary’s, nowhere else.

Knock Them off Their Perch

Man United legend, Sir Alex Ferguson, famously said of Liverpool: “My greatest challenge is not what’s happening at the moment, my greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f*****g perch. And you can print that.”

Now it is your turn, the Reds currently have 18 league titles, whilst their Manchester rivals won’t stop banging on about their 20, you have just four seasons to overtake them once again.