Brentford boss Thomas Frank has revealed that defender Ethan Pinnock has been ruled out until after the international break due to an ankle injury.

Pinnock has played every minute of Brentford's 23 Premier League games prior to Saturday's home meeting with leaders Liverpool.

However, the Jamaica international was a notable absentee from the Brentford starting lineup, leaving Kristoffer Ajer to feature in a back three in the 30-year-old's absence.

The Bees ultimately experienced a disappointing outing, as Liverpool took advantage of a shaky Brentford backline to ease to a 4-1 victory.

Frank was asked after the game whether the absence of Pinnock played a role in the defensive errors that contributed to the heavy defeat.

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The Brentford head coach told BBC Sport: "I believe in the players I put on the pitch, it happens. of course, Ethan is a top defender and our best central defender for the last many years.

"Of course, it's a loss but it's up to others to step up. I think Kristoffer did a lot of things right but there are things to learn and improve."

Frank also confirmed that Brentford will be unable to call upon Pinnock's services until after the international break in March.

"Ethan got an ankle injury from a nasty tackle in the last five minutes of the game against Wolves that unfortunately will hold him out until after the international break."

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As a result of the injury, Pinnock will miss the next five matches against Manchester City, West Ham United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Burnley.

Frank will hope to have the defender back for Brentford's Premier League home meeting with Manchester United at the end of March.

In addition to Pinnock, the Bees are currently without Aaron Hickey, Rico Henry, Kevin Schade, Bryan Mbuemo and Josh Dasilva.

Having lost three of their last four matches, Brentford are currently sitting in 14th place with six points separating them from the drop zone.