Greening ready for Reds skipper

Jonathan Greening is preparing to lock horns with former team-mate Steven Gerrard – and the Albion captain can't wait.

Greening admits facing Gerrard could be his greatest challenge of the season so far.

The Baggies skipper insists going head to head with his former England under-21 colleague is one of the reasons he was desperate to return to the Premier League.

He said: "I played one game with Gerrard before he went up to the senior team but that was enough to know he was a world-class player. He's a test for anyone.

"He only played one under-18s game and one under-21 game and then he was straight into the England fold. You could tell from an early age what a good player he was and what a good striker of the ball he was.

"Steven was a phenomenal talent and still is. I hope he has an off-day but it's just great to play against players like that. You don't want to be playing in the Championship.

"No offence to teams like Blackpool, but we worked so hard last year to get out of that league and play against players like Steven Gerrard – the best players in the world.

"It's nice to look back and say you've tested yourself against the best."

This will also pit Greening against his former under-21s skipper Jamie Carragher.

The Albion captain believes Liverpool pose an increasingly tricky test with Scousers Gerrard and Carragher at the heart of their team.

Greening said: "Rafa Benitez is a great manager with a team of world-class players and to lose against Tottenham would have been disappointing. From what I heard, Liverpool played them off the park, a bit like us against Blackburn.

"We played really well and conceded a late goal against Blackburn and the same thing happened to Liverpool. They'll be hurting and will want to try to put it right straight away. But they'll be thinking we're an easy touch.

"We've got show that we're not and prove what a good team we are. I've played with Jamie lots of times and he's another outstanding player. He probably doesn't get enough credit for what he does for Liverpool.

"He's one of the main guys, along with Gerrard, who keeps the side ticking along."