He'd be crucified... and then what? He owns the club.
Arsenal being the weakest club in the top 4? that's a reason not to sell. No replacements available? that's a reason not to sell. Suarez worth more than 40m? that's a reason not to sell.
Embarrassment and posturing? I don't really think that's a factor at all. The fans are powerless and likely pretty forgiving; they know they can't hurt Henry without hurting the club, and Henry (and every club owner out there) knows that too. If Liverpool sell, it'll be because it's a good business decision (or the best bad one) for the club and I don't think looking weak really matters. Liverpool said they wouldn't sell Torres, and now Torres plays for Chelsea; Wenger said he wouldn't sell both Nasri and Fabregas in the same summer, and then proceeded to sell them both.
A promise is meaningless.
Yeah, that really worked out well for Hicks and Gillett, didn't it? I understand what you're saying, but there was no reason for Henry to come out and say this. I can't understand why the owner of a club would come out to say that they 100% will not sell to a club, and then sell to him down the line. You can understand why manager's say things like that, because they're asked by the media all the time, and sometimes might not be privy to boardroom decisions. If it was to drive the price up, or to goad Madrid in to buying, then why wouldn't Rodgers or Ayre be sent out to say these things?
There's is absolutely no benefit or sense to Henry sticking his neck above the parapet if he didn't mean what he said.
With 51m you can find a replacement for Suarez. That is just PR bullshit.
Go on then, £51m to replace 23 goals and 5 assists in the League, without having Champions League or Europa League to offer. Who do you sign?
