Liverpool monitor Tunisian stalwart Jun 30 2006 By Nick Smith, Daily Post LIVERPOOL are pondering a move for Tunisian World Cup star Hatem Trabelsi. The 29-year-old could provide the right-sided strengthening that manager Rafael Benitez is craving as he loses patience with Sevilla over Daniel Alves. The Spanish club are holding firm on their valuation of £10million for the player, and unless some leeway can be found in the negotiations to get closer to Liverpool's valuation, Benitez will switch his attention to search for other options. Like Alves, Trabelsi is a right-sided player who can operate in defence or midfield and he is now a free agent after coming to the end of his contract with Ajax at the end of the season. The Dutch giants signed the player in 2001 after he had already made his name on the international stage with Tunisia, including playing in the 1998 World Cup in France. He also featured in all three group games of their 2002 campaign, but the highlight of his international career came when Tunisia lifted the African Cup of Nations on their own soil in 2004. Trabelsi endured a third consecutive group knock-out at the current World Cup, but was their most impressive performer in Germany. Sealing a deal for the free agent means that the money Liverpool save on Alves could be used to sign Dirk Kuyt from Feyenoord. Meanwhile, Liverpool have appointed Malcolm Elias as the Academy's new director of recruitment. Elias held the same post at Southampton, where he played a part in England striker Theo Walcott's rise to prominence. Chief executive Rick Parry said: "Malcolm has a fantastic track record at Southampton and an extremely good reputation. "We've been looking to expand our recruitment department at the Academy, and this appointment is part of that. As ever, we've taken an opportunity to bring one of the best in the business to Liverpool." Liverpool's home game with Newcastle United, originally scheduled for Wednesday, August 23, has been put back to Wednesday, September 20 with an 8pm kick-off because of Champions League qualifying rounds.