SVEN-GORAN Eriksson has backed England to reach the World Cup final despite the loss of Rio Ferdinand to a knee injury.

The former England manager, now in charge of Ivory Coast, said he is still waiting for a report on Didier Drogba’s injury prognosis from a Swiss specialist, and further hinted at his interest in the managerial vacancy at Liverpool.

Eriksson said he remained hopeful of a potential semi-final between Ivory Coast and England despite Drogba undergoing an operation after breaking an arm.

“If they (England) don’t have more bad luck with injuries they have a chance to go the whole way, and I would be happy for them if that happens,” said Eriksson. “I think they have a good chance. I hope (Wayne) Rooney will stay fit. I think he is extremely important for England as Drogba is for us.”

When asked would England reach the final of the World Cup, he replied: “Yeah, why not, or the semi-final against the Ivory Coast.”

On Ferdinand’s injury, he said: “It’s sad news. Rio Ferdinand is one of the best defenders in the world. Bad news for England and bad news for the World Cup. But England have a lot of good footballers, especially if you talk about midfielders and defenders.”

Eriksson claimed that he has been a lifelong Liverpool fan but had kept his allegiance quiet when he was the England manager.

The Swede added that he believed Liverpool would have no problem attracting a new manager following the sacking of Rafael Benitez and insisted he would like to return to the Premier League some day.

“My situation is easy. I have a contract with the Ivory Coast until the end of the World Cup and then I am free,” he said. “Hopefully I will sit on some bench somewhere in the world, I don’t know where. The Premier League is the best league in the world so everybody wants to be a manager in the Premier League.”

Eriksson said a slim hope remained that Drogba would be able to play in South Africa. “We still hope but he is in a hospital in Switzerland so I can’t say yes or no but we hope, that’s for sure,” he said. “I have to wait to hear from the specialist.”

Meanwhile, Fifa says it is not to blame for a stampede that occurred outside a stadium in Johannesburg yesterday where World Cup finalists Nigeria and North Korea were wrapping up their preparations for the competition.

The incident, which occurred in the township of Tembisa left several people injured – 14 spectators had to be taken to hospital, while two police officials were also hurt.

Less than a week remains before the kick-off of the global spectacle and the events at the Makhulong Stadium are likely to place further pressure on the world governing body, who have already moved to distance themselves from any involvement.

A statement from the organisation read: “Fifa and the Organising Committee (OC) of the 2010 Fifa World Cup have been informed by the South African Police Services (SAPS) about the incidents which have taken place today on the occasion of the friendly match between Nigeria and Korea DPR played in Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg.

“Fifa and the OC would like to first wish a prompt recovery to those who have been affected by these incidents.

“In addition, Fifa and the OC would like to reiterate that this friendly match has no relation whatsoever with the operational organisation of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, for which we remain fully confident.

“Contrary to some media reports, Fifa had nothing to do with the ticketing of this game.”

Tickets for the game at the 10,000 capacity ground were free, meaning there was a huge demand and additional pressure on authorities after a larger number of fans turned up. Guardian Service